r^M^ 



THE FLORIST'S GUIDE 



CONTAI.VIXG 



j|, PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATluN OF ANNUAL,}^ 
!?)> lUEXNIAL, AND PERENNIAL <f 

I FLOWERING PLANTS, 

4'/ 






OF DIFFKRENT CLASSKS, 



HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBBY, 



i 



g( BULBOUS, FIBROUS AND TUBEROUS ROOTED,! 

W ^ i< 



% 



INCLUDING THE DOUBLL DAHLIA. 

WITH A MONTHLY CALENDAR, 

CONTAi.nNG INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF 
Gi,EErT"niSE PT,A""TS THTioUGHCrT Tjt.E YEAR. 



(^ 

& 



"HOLS, ADAPTED TO THE CLIM ^ i'E OF THE UNIT'ED STATES. 



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SB, 
40f 




A KK^V AND IMPROVED EDITION. 



By THOMAS BRlDGrEMAN, 

GtirlefKi. ''eedsman, and Florist. 



NRW-YORK : 
FOR SALE DY 'iHrl AUTHOI^ RROADWAY, COKNER OP EIGHTEENTH^T. 



A Gporfro C. Thorbuvn. t5 john-stroct ; Alcx'r Smith. 3S3 Broarlwav, N. Y 
jf nruadwav, All)aii.> . G F.Crosmati, Rocho-iter Hovoy & Co ; Joseph 



William Tl --rhuri. JJ^J 

Bre-iv & Co., jston. ^1^ 

). Liindvcth cc .Munri.s ; H. A Dreo'. Phd tdolphiu. Gdi-on & Ritchie. Nevviiri., :^ jrrsry. m 

U. ?i'ic.liiir, Jr & Co. Baitimoir. .J F. Cnllan. Washington Citv Heuiy (^.ok. A.Vxan- Yi\ 

dri.i. n C. 1 lodniioii Wittpont), Ch^irle.stoi). S. C. Turner & Hushes. Ralci ' 



rhorhnrn 

k Miles, 209 liroadway ; E. Walker, IH FuUoa-st.iN. Y 



Louis. 3. C. P irkhiir>t. Ci 



S. C. 

IS. N 

^iiinati ; 



Mcsety <f- Co. Mohil.v \\ m Dion. New Orl-'ian,^. N.W. Ma'ch <fe"CarVicksh" '.Litres yl^ 



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nd oUicr Scpdsmeti. / l.so, hy Sax- i^ 
and Bookseller., in general. %\ 



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9"*"' %^i/ 



HIBIURY OF CONGRESS. I 

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||hHg. feP. lopunsM |o I 

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I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



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THE FLORIST'S GUIDE, 

CONTAINING 

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF ANNUAL, 
BIENNIAL, AND PERENNIAL 

FLOWERING PLANTS, 

OF DIFFERENT CLASSES, 

HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBBY, 
BULBOUS, FIBROUS AND TUBEROUS ROOTED, 

INCLUDING THE DOUBLE DAHLIA. 

WITH A MONTHLY CALENDAR, 

CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF 
GREENHOUSE PLANTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. 

■ THE WHOLE ADAPTED TO THE CLIMA.TE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

A NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION. 



By THOMAS BRIDGEMAN^" 

Gardener, Seedsman, and Florist. '\ 

. X-f^ 



NEW-YORK : 

FOR SALE BY THE AUTHOR, RROADWAY, CORNER OF EIGHTEENTH-ST. 

Georsre C Thorburn, 15 John-street ; Alex'r Smith, 38S Broadway, N. Y. : William Thorburn, 
Biuiidway. Albany. C. P. Crosniaii, Rochester. Hovey & Co ; Joseph Breck & Co., Boston. 
D. Landreth & Munns ; H. A Dreer, Phdailelphia. Gibson & Ritchie. Newark, N. Jersey. 
R Sinclair, Jr. & Co, Ba'timore. J- F. Callan. Washington City. Henry Cook, Alexan- 
dria, n C. Fredeiick Witipenn, Charleston, S. C. Turner & Hnehes, Raleigh, N. C. 
Mcsely & Co, Mobile. Wm Dinn. New Oriean.?. N.W. Hatch & Co, Vicksixug. James 
M. Thorburn, Ht Louis. S. C. P:irkhur.<t, Cincinnati : and other Seedsmen. Also, by Sax- 
ton & Miles, 809 Broadway ; E. Walker, IH Fulion-3t,N. Y. ; and Booksellers in general. 



VI PREFACE 

end enrich itself with solid and lasting good. As an incite- 
ment to such study, the following reflections are submitted 
to the attentive penisal of the reader. 

The creation of Nature is beautiful, enchantingly beau- 
tiful, universally diffused, and of endless variety; but it is the 
province of man to adorn a single spot, to collect about him 
the scattered and single beauties, and to see, and feel, and 
enjoy them. Nature is fruitful, inexhaustibly fruitful ; but 
man must improve her fertility, guide it, and give it its most 
generally useful direction. Nature is full of life, but man is 
capable of diversifying^ elevating, and ennobling this life; 
and he is amply rewarded for his labour. 

*' Thine is a glorious volume, Nature ! Each 
Line, leaf, and page, is filled with living lore ; 

Wisdom more pure than sage could ever teach, 
And all philosophy's divinest store ; 

Rich lessons rise w^here'er thy tracks are trod : 

The book of Nature is the book of God." 

It may be truly said, that the whole field of Nature is laid 
open to the investigation and mental enjoyment of man, and 
that its study is the more accessible, because it is the easiest 
as well as the most delightful of all studies. 

The student in literature must have his library, the natu- 
ral philosopher and chemist, his apparatus, and the student 
of man, his annals and records ; which are frequently so 
perplexing, that much of his time is spent in testing their 
con-ectness, and the results of his study are often far from 
satisfactory to himself. "Whereas the tillage of the soil invi- 
gorates man's mental as well as bodily powers, and elicits 
more deep science, and more observation, and more general 
acquaintance with the laws of Nature, than any other pur- 
suit of life. 

Of all recreations, perhaps the cultivation of flowers may 
be considered as the most enchanting. It is not only con- 
genial to health, but is calculated to attach man to his home; 
and he who delights in his home, and feels disposed to em- 
bellish it, will be likely to hasten to it when he has done his 



PREFACE. ;y 

business abroad, instead of wasting his time in the puri$uk 
of transient and dissolute pleasure. 

But I had almost forgotten that this guide to the cultiva- 
tion of the beauties of Nature is chiefly designed for the use 
of the softer sex. I shall not content myself with merely 
offering an apology for the digression, but will promise to 
bear them in mind throughout my studies, not doubting that 
my humble endeavours to amuse and instruct them will be 
duly appreciated ; which, to an author, is a source of inex- 
pressible satisfaction. 

Mean is the man who never will bestow 

A leaf of laurel on a female brow ; 

From the chaste fountain of whose fertile mind, 

Spring forth the graces which adorn mankind. 

Having thus introduced myself to my fair readers, I shall 
proceed to treat of the cultivation of the various and most 
admired kinds of flowering plants ; and I flatter myself that 
if, by implanting a taste for rural subjects, I should succeed 
in making them good cultivators in the fullest sense of the 
word, they will be immeasurably happy in " The Matrimo- 
nial Garden,"* should they ever enter therein; and in pro- 
portion as they advance in the work of cultivation, will they 
excel in virtue, which a wise man once declared was to a 
woman of immense value, "far above rubies," yea, even 
equal to a glittering " crown." 

" A virtuous conduct leaves behind 
A lasting pleasure in the mind, 
"W hich by remembrance will assuage 
Grief, sickness, poverty, and age ; 
And oft impart a cheering ray, 
To 'lumine life's declining day." 

I would fain confess here to my fair readers, that I have, 
in the course of my studies, occasionally wandered from my 
accustomed track, vidth a view to afford them mental recrea- 
tion while engaged in cultivating the transient inmates of a 
garden, and from a conviction that the flowers of poesy are 

* This refers to an article entitled " The Matrimonial Garden," which 
will be found toward the end of the book. 



Vl PREFACE. 

not only conducive to intellectual pleasure, but calculated to' 
improve the mind, and to relieve it of that intense thought 
which necessarily attends practical pursuits, I have ventured 
to intrude on the patience of those whose sole object maybe 
practical knowledge. I can, however, inform such, that no 
efforts have been spared to render the work generally in- 
structive as well as amusing, and would invite the attention 
of my readers to a perusal of its contents before they com- 
mence the process of cultivation ; and if they select a proper 
soil, and provide suitable seed and implements, I doubt not 
that they will experience the highest satisfaction in their 
instructive, pleasant, and healthful employment. 

In conclusion, I would observe, that in order to keep pace 
with the increasing taste for flowers, and to render this work 
a desideratum to those amateur florists who cultivate plants 
merely for amusement, I have in this edition introduced 
several important improvements ; I am, however, aware 
that it may be viewed by some as still an imperfect work j 
and having no wish either to overrate its merits or conceal 
its defects, I am free to acknowledge, that in aiming to divest 
the subject of those technicalities which too often discourage 
new beginners in this pursuit, the style may perhaps in 
some instances have degenerated into a censurable quaint- 
ness. The apology I offer is, that, having spent a greater 
portion of my time in the wide field of nature, than in the 
study of the dead, or even living languages, I have been 
more familiar with that which appertains to practical gar- 
dening, than with the contents of literary tomes ; and that, 
having no wish, even were I competent, to amuse classical 
leaders with a tedious vocabulary of Greek, Latin, and Bo- 
tanical terms, I have confined my attention to the teaching 
of plain people the rudiments of Floriculture, in a concise^ 
and explicit manner ; and I flatter myself that my labour 
has not been altogether in vain. 

T. BRIDGEMAN. 

JVexv-York, Jamim^j 1844. 



CONTENTS. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN. 

On laying out the ground. — Adaptation of each species page, 
of plants to its peculiar element, - - - - 13 

Suggestions for forming a rockery to accommodate plants 

which originated in mountainous districts, - - 14 

The cultivation of annual flowers adapted to Ladies. — 
In sowing of seed, transplanting, watering, and 
training plants, by tying them to neat poles or rods, 
or leading them over trellis-work, &c. — Attention 
directed to grass-walks, lawns, gravel-walks, box- 
edgings, decayed plants, insects, &c., - - - 15 

INTRODUCTION TO THE CATALOGUE OF ANNUAL FLOWER 
SEED. 

Attention directed to the study of Flowers, with a view 
to their successful cultivation. — Observations on 
the germination of seed in different climates. — 
Estimates respecting annual flowers as regards their 
growth, time of blossoming, &c., - - - 16 

A Catalogue of Annual Flower Seed, - - - 18 

Suggestions for providing bulbous, tuberous, and peren- 
nial plants, including Dahlias, &c., for early plant- 
ing. — Also, garden implements, labels, suitable 
soil, compost, &c., ------ 22 

Directions for sowing flower seed in borders, flower- 
pots, beds, and circles, with notes illustrative of 
the different plans, ------ 23 

Method of securing fragrance to Mignonette, - - 26 

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS TO THE CATALOGUE OF BIEN- 
NIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEED. 

On the circulation of the sap in roots and stalks of plants, 28 
Frequent renewals of the roots of perennial plants 

recommended, - - - - - - - 29 

A Catalogue of Biennial and Perennial Flower seed, - 30 



CONTENTS. 

Directions for cultivating biennial and perennial flow- p^g^. 
ers from seed, offsets, layers, cuttings, &c. — Also, 
for propagating green-house plants, and for arrang- 
ing intermixed flowers to advantage, illustrated by 
notes and annotations, - - - - - 33 

Introduction to the Catalogue of Flowering and Orna- 
mental Shrubs. — Observations on the adaptation of 
dwarf shrubs for hedges to a flower garden, also on 
training creepers or climbers to the best advantage, 38 

A Catalogue of Dwarf Flowering, and Ornamental 

Shrubs, 39 

A Catalogue of Climbing Ornamental Shrubs, - - 45 

Directions for the propagation of Ornamental Shrubs by 

various methods, 49 

Directions for transplanting, pruning, and training Orna- 
mental Shrubs, ------ -53 

Beauties of April and May — Showing the order of 
the flower tribe throughout the summer season, 
with poetic pieces illustrative of the different genera, 54 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION OF BULBOUS AND 
TUBEROUS ROOTED PLANTS. 

On the introduction and multiplication of the above de- 
scription of plants, ------ 63 

Bulbous and Tuberous Roots defined — Soil suited to 

bulbous roots in general, - - - - - 64 

Directions for forming the beds to contain bulbous and 
tuberous roots, also for preserving the bulbs and 
tubers when in a dormant state, - - - - 65 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS ROOTED PLANTS, 
Practical directions for the cultivation of which will be found under each head. 



Amaryllis, 


67 


Ixias, 


- 82 


Anemone and Ranuncu- 




Jonquil, - 


- 83 


lus, . - - - 


68 


Lachenalias, - 


- 83 


Crocus, in numerous vari- 




Lilies, - 


- 83 


ties, - - 


69 


Narcissus, 


- 85 


Crown Imperial, 


69 


Ornithogalum, or 


Star of 


Colchicum, 


70 


Bethlehem, 


- 85 


Cyclamen, . - - 


70 


Oxalis, - 


- 86 


Double Dahlia, 


70 


Paeony, - 


- - 87 


Gladiolus, or Sword Lily, 


79 


Tulip, - 


- 88 


Hyacinth, 


81 


Tuberose, 


- 92 


Iris, or Flower de Luce, 


82 


Tiger Flower, 


- 93 



CONTENTS. Uif 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION OF BULBOUS ROOTS 

IN POTS AND GLASSES. 

Caution against over-watering bulbous plants at parti- pagc. 

cular seasons, 94 

On the choice of roots for cultivation in a green-house 

or light room, - -.- - - - -95 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF GREEN- 
HOUSE PLANTS. 

The peculiarities of exotic plants defined, - - - 97 

Brief directions for the management of green-house 

plants, 98 

Hints furnished by an amateur for the keeping of plants 

in rooms, - - - ^ - - - - -99 

An attempt to prov6 that Light, Heat, Air, and Moisture 
are essential to the preservation of plants, and that 
water should be applied in proportion as heat and 
air are attainable, 100 

Suggestions for providing suitable compost, to be used 

in re-potting the various species of plants, - - 101 

Catalogue of Chrysanthemums, with directions for their 

cultivation, 102 

Introduction to the Catalogue of Green-house Plants, 
wherein the reader's attention is directed to vari- 
ous subjects, - . 103 

Descriptive catalogue of the most esteemed species of 

exotic plants, ------. 104 

OUTLINE OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF HOTICULTURE, ETC., 
Which embraces much general information under the following heads : 



I. General nature of 





Plants, - 


- 120 


n. 


Root, - 


- 121 


HI. 


Stem, 


- 123 


IV. 


Leaf-Buds, - 


- 124 


V. 


Leaves, 


- 127 


VI. 


Flowers, 


- 128 


VII. 


Sexes, 


- 130 



VIII. Fruit,- - - 131 

IX. Seed, - - - 133 

X. Sap, - - - 134 

XI. Air and Light, -^135 

XII. Perspiration, - 137 

XIH. Cuttings, - - 138 

XIV. Scions, - - 139 

XV. Transplantation, - 140 



CONTENTS. 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 



Pago. 



January. — Reasons given why temperance in the use 
of water should be obseryed in the cultivation 
of plants during the winter season. — Directions for : fj( > 
regulating the temperature of the room in which 
plants are kept. — A brick flue recommended for the 
purpose of heating a small green-house, &c., - 142 

February. — Directions for cultivating Camellias or Ja- 
pan Roses — Also, fi^r the management of such bul- 
bous roots as may be in progress of blooming. — 
Several perennial plants enumerated, which require 
attention this month. — Information given how to 
make a hot-bed for the purpose of raising early 
plants, .....-_- 143 

March. — The Business of this month consists in attend- 
ing to JMonthly Roses, Primroses, Polyanthus, Au- 
riculas, Enghsh Spring Flowers, Schizanthus, &c. 
— In sowing in hot-beds the seed of Dahlia, Mig- 
nonette, Primula, and such other species as are ■' "' 
designated thus § and thus t in the Catalogues, 
pages 18 and 30. — The roots of Dahlia, Amaryllis, 
Gladiolus, Tiger Flower, Tuberose, &;c., may be 
planted in hot-beds, to forward them in growth, - 146 

April. — Recommendations on various subjects — as, at- 
tention to box edgings, gravel-walks, flowering 
shrubs, herbaceous plants, bulbous rooted plants. 
Dahlia roots, green-house plants, &c.' — ^It is sug- 
gested to cultivate all the ground of the garden this 
month, if possible, and to sow all the different spe- 
cies of seed that the season will admit of, - - 1,48 

May. — As the warm weather progresses, the gardener 
Iv. i is directed to conque-r the various kinds of insects^ — 
fU:tto prrwide awnings- for the protection of choice 
IV [flowers — to set out green-house plants — and>to in- 
c'M|^ease their number by propagation frora cuttings, 

suckers, seed, &c., as adverted to in tlie Calendar, 149 

J^NE. — It is recommended to watdr green-house plants 
(u ; frequently in dry, warm weather, to shade Hydi-an- ly'^. 
!' ■ • geas, Daisies, Polyanthus, Primulas, &c., from the ^ 
noonday sun — to remove decayed plants, and to 
replace them with vigorous ones from the nursery 
bed — to transplant annual flower plants, Dahlias, 
&c., 151 



J') 



fl 



CONTENTS. XI, 

July. — The gardener is reminded that this is the proper p^^^ 
time for pruning Garden Roses, and other plants — 
Also, for budding Orange and Lemon trees — for 
laying Carnations, Pinks, Pansies, Running Verbe- 
nas, &c., with a view to their propagation — for 
destroying weeds, to prevent their seeding in the 
ground, &c., - - - - - - - 153 

August. — Attention is directed to green-house plants, 
which will need watering often — and toward the 
end of the fnonth they will require to be replen- 
ished with fresh compost, and re-potted. — Also, to 
the budding of Orange and Lemon trees, if not 
done last month, ------- 154 

September. — It is suggested to take up such tender and 
half-hardy plants as were placed in the earth of the 
flower beds in the spring, with a view to their being 
pruned and re-potted. — Also, to plant such bulbous 
roots as are described in the Calendar, - - 155 

October. — In this month the florist is reminded of the 
importance of housing all tender exotic plants, ten- 
der bulbous and tuberous roots, &c. — Also, to the 
planting of the hardy species of bulbous roots, in 
flower beds, before the approach of severe frost, - 156 

November. — During the continuance of mild weather, 
it is recommended to give air at all opportunities 
to green-house plants. — Also, to place half-hardy 
plants in frames, and cover up flower beds with 
leaves, straw, or light litter, with a view to their 
preservation through the winter, - - - - 157 

December. — Constant care and attention is recommend- 
ed to the situation of green-houses or rooms in 
which plants are kept, which should be so secure 
as to prevent the intrusion of cold air, or the es- 
cape of warm air in the night season, - - - 159 

The Matrimonial Garden, wherein the tempers and 
dispositions of the mind are compared to plants, 
which require careful cultivation, . - - 160 



OBSERVATIONS 

ON 

THE FLOWER GARDEN 



Previous to forming a flower garden, the ground should 
be made mellow and rich, by being well pulverized, manured, 
and prepared in every respect as if intended for a kitchen 
garden. A flower garden should be protected from cold, 
cutting winds by close fences, or plantations of shrubs, form- 
ing a close and compact hedge, which should be neatly trim- 
med every year. Generally speaking, a flower garden should 
not be on a large scale, and the beds or borders should not 
in any part be broader than the cultivator can reach, without 
treading on them : the shape and number of the beds must 
be determined by the quantity of the ground, and the taste 
of the person laying out the garden. 

IMuch of the beauty of a pleasure garden depends on the 
manner in which it is laid out ; a great variety of figures 
may be indulged in for the flower beds. Some choose oval 
or circular forms, others squares, triangles, hearts, diamonds, 
&c., intersected with winding grass paths and gravel walks. 
In the design of an ornamental garden, nature, however, 
should be imitated as closely as practicable, not only in the 
formation and regulation of the flower beds, but in the adap- 
tation of each species to its peculiar element, soil, and situ^ 
ation, taking into consideration, that the inmates of a garden, 
constituting as they do a mingled group, collected from all 
the different climates and soils of the vegetable creation, rC" 
quire each its most essential aliment, to promote a luxuriant 
growth, 

2 



14 OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN. 

Neatness should be the prevaihng characteristic of a flower 
garden, which should be so situated as to form an ornamental 
appendage to the house; and, where circumstances will admit, 
placed before the windows exposed to a southern or south- 
eastern aspect. The principle on which it is laid out, ought to 
be that of exhibiting a variety of colour and form, so blended 
as to produce one beautiful whole. In a small flower garden, 
viewed from the windows of a house, this effect is best pro- 
duced by beds, or borders, formed side by side, and parallel 
to the windows whence they are seen, as in that position the 
colours show to the best advantage. In a retired part of the 
garden, a rustic seat may be formed, over and around which 
grape vines, or honeysuckles, and other sweet and ornamental 
creepers and climbers, may be trained on trellises, which wiH 
afford a pleasant rural retreat. 

In extensive pleasure grounds a rockery, formed of rough 
stone, and rich light soil, may be erected in imitation of a 
mountain, on which may be cultivated various plants natives 
of mountainous districts, and such indigenous plants as are 
calculated for the situation ; also herbaceous plants, procum- 
bent and trailing, such as Mesembryanthemums, Climbing 
Cordydalis, the various species of Silene or Catch Fly, Gyp- 
sophila, Lotus, Ricota or Syrian Honesty, Godetia, &c. These 
being interspersed with dwarf plants of different species, as 
Mountain Lychnis, Violets, Daisies, &c., and so arranged as 
to cover a great proportion of the rocky surface, must ne- 
cessarily produce a very pleasing effect. 

Although the greatest display is produced by a general 
flower garden, that is, by cultivating such a variety in one 
bed or border as will insure an almost constant blooming ; yet 
bulbous rooted plants, though essential to the perfection of the 
flower garden, lose something of their peculiar beauty when 
not cultivated by themselves. The extensive variety of bul- 
bous roots furnishes means for the formation of a garden, 
the beauty of which, arising from an intei mixture of every 
vaiiety of foim and colour, would well repay the trouble of 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN. 15 

cultivation, particularly, as by a judicious selection and man- 
agement, a succession of bloom may be kept up for some 
length of time. As, however, bulbous flowers lose their richest 
tints about the time that Annuals begin to display their beauty, 
there can be no well-founded objection to the latter being 
transplanted into the bulbous beds, so that the opening blos- 
soms of the Annuals may fill the place of those just withered, 
and continue to supply the flower-beds with all the gayety 
and splendour of the floral kingdom. 

The cultivation of Annual Flowers is a delightful employ- 
ment, and well adapted to the amusement of a lady, who, with 
the assistance of a labourer to prepare the ground, may turn 
a barren waste into a beauteous flower garden with her own 
hands. Sowing the seed, transplanting, watering, and train- 
ing the plants, tying them to sticks as props, leading them over 
trellis-work, and gathering their seed, are all suitable feminine 
occupations, and from their affording motives for exercise in 
the open air, they contribute greatly to health and tranquillity 
of mind. 

But the taste of the florist will be exercised to little pur- 
pose, in the selection of Flowers, if sti^ict attention is not paid 
to the general state of the garden. If there are lawns or 
grass walks, they should be frequently trimmed, and more 
frequently mowed and rolled, to prevent the grass from inter- 
fering with the flower-beds, and to give the whole a neat, regu- 
lar, carpet-like appearance. If there are gravel walks, they 
should be frequently cleaned, replenished with fresh gravel, 
and rolled. Box, and other edgings, should be kept clear of 
weeds, and neatly trimmed every spring. Decayed plants 
should be removed, and replaced by vigorous ones from the 
nursery bed. Tall flowering plants must be supported by neat 
poles or rods; and all dead stalks and leaves fi'om decayed 
flowers must be frequently removed. 

In the summer season, all kinds of insects must be timely 
destroyed, and in the evenings of warm days, the flowers will 
require frequent watering. 



16 



INTRODUCTION 

TO THE 

CATALOGUE OF ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 



To raise your flowers, various arts combine ; 
Study these well, and fancy's flight decline. 
If you would have a vivid, vigorous breed 
Of every kind, examine well the seed : 
Learn to what Elements your plants belong, 
What is their constitution, weak or strong j 
Be their physician, careful of their lives, 
And see that every species daily thrives ; 
These love much Air, these on much Heat rely, 
These, without genial Moisture, droop and die. 
Supply the wants of each, and they will pay 
For all your care through each succeeding day. 

With a view to render this work more generally useful 
and interesting, a classification and definition of the various 
species and varieties embraced in the annexed Catalogue, 
are attempted to be given. Precision, however, in the per- 
formance of this task is impracticable, as it must be evident 
that the vegetable family, having been collected from every 
variety of climate and soil, will differ as to height, colour, 
time of blossoming, and in many other essential points, when 
cultivated out of their natural Element. 

Some seed germinate in two or three days after having 
been deposited in the earth ; others will not exhibit signs of 
vegetation in as many weeks. These and other distinguish- 
ing features arise, in a great measure, from their having 
originated in various soils and climates. Natives of cool or 
temperate climates and moist soils, are generally tardy in 
germinating when cultivated in a warm climate and dry soil, 
for want of a due share of their most essential aliment, 
Moisture ; and natives of warm climates and light soils 
require artificial culture in cool seasons and unpropitious 
climates, in order to their being accommodated with their 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 17 

natural and most important aliment, Heat. Air also is a 
morie necessary aliment to some species than to others, but 
these three elements collectively, constitute the food of plants 
in general. It may also be observed that the adaptation of 
plants to a soil congenial to them is of the utmost import- 
ance ; as plants will not thrive well when improper food is 
a,bsorbed by their roots. 

Under favourable circumstances, annuals, in general, will 
produce their flower buds within two months from the period 
of sowing the seed. Some species, soon after exhibiting 
their brilliant blossoms and ripening their seed, disappear, 
while others embellish the borders with a succession of flow- 
ers for two or three months. An assortment of seed judi- 
ciously selected, and sown in due season, will afford amuse- 
ment to the cultivator the greater part of a summer, and 
yield seed for the propagation of the species in succeeding 
years, if gathered when ripe, and carefully preserved. 

Annual plants will grow from one to four feet in height, 
in one uniform soil and situation ; but as these are diversified 
in almost every garden, no correct conclusion can be drawn 
in this particular ; an attempt, however, has been made in 
the annexed Catalogue, to describe the various species as 
nearly as possible, which may serve as a guide to the gardener 
in planting ; the most dwarfish being adapted to the front or 
outer edge of the borders, and others in regular gradation. 

Those species marked thus § are tender. Those marked 
thus * should be sown in the spot where they are intended 
to blossom, as they are apt to droop and die by being trans- 
planted. A few are marked thus f. These, though cultivated 
as annuals, from their facilities in blossoming and ripening 
their seed the first season, are in reality perennial, as are also 
some other varieties from warm climates, usually denominated 
annuals ; but as such could not be cultivated at all by those 
who have no means of protecting their plants during our 
severe winte»s, they may with great propriety be treated as 
tender annuals, by sowing the seed every spring, 

2* 



18 



A CATALOGUE OF ANNUAL FLOWEB^EEDUai 

^^iBu; ^ ^mob so'irfi oaarft 

Graines de Jleueres annuelles, 

5 Denotes tender, t Perennial. * Difficult to transplant. 

Pect ftigh. 
t Ageratum, Mexican, blue, Ageratum Mexicana, 1 to 2 

Alkekengi, or Kite Flower, lilac, Atropa p.hysaloides, 3 to 4 

fAlyssum, Sweet, white, Alyssum maritima, 1 

§ Amaranthus, three-coloured, Amarantkus tricolor, 2 to 5 

* Argemone, or Prickly Poppy, yel- Argemone, Mexicana, grandi- 

low, cream-coloured, and white, flora, ochrolenca, etc., 2 to 4 

Aster, Chinese and German, white, Aster,Ckinensis,var.alf>a,rubra, 

red, striped, purple, &c., striata, purpurea, etc., 1 to 2 

§ Balsams ; three species and nume- Balsamina hortensis, Mastersitt' 

rous varieties, scarlet, striped, pur- na, cornuta, coccinea, striata, 

pie, crimson, white, &c. purpurea, alba, etc., 1 to 2 

§ Bartonia, the Golden, Bartonia. aurea, 2 to 3 

Bladder Ketmia, buflf, dark centre, Hibiscus trionutn, 1 to 2 

Blue Bottle, Great, Centaurea cynnus, major, 3 to 4 

Blue Bottle, Small, Centaurea cyanus, rninor, 1 to 2 

Blumenbachia, white, Blumenbachia insignis, under 1 

§ Browallia, or Amethyst, blue, white, Browallia elata, alba, etc., 1 to 2 

§ Cacalia, scarlet, Cacalia coccinea, ltO'2i 

Calliopsis; Drummond's Coreopsis, Calliopsis Drummondiiy . 2,to^ 

Calandrina, Annual, crimson, Calandrina, speciosa, etc., 1, to^^ 

t Calandrina, rose and purple tinged, Calandrina ducolor, etc., 2 to 3 

* Candytuft, white and purple, Iberis alba, purpurea, etc., 1 

* Catch Fly, purple and red, SUene purpurea, muscip'da, etc. 2 to 3 

* Catch Fly, dwarf pink, spotted, &c., Silene Armeria, picta, etc, 1 to 2 

* Caterpillars, Hedge-hogs, & Snails, Medicago circinnata, intertexta, 

curious, scutellata, etc-, 1 to 2 

Centaurea, or pink Sultan, Centaurea Americana, 2 to 3 

China Pink, of every shade, Bianthus, Chinensis, annuus, 1 to 2 

4 Cleome. rose-coloured, white, &c., Cleome rosea, spinoca, etc., 2 to 3 
Chrysanthemum, white, yellow, and Chrysanthemttm coronarium, 

three-coloured, alba, luted, tricolor, etc., 2 to 3 

Clarkia, rose, purple, white, &c., Clarkia elegans, pulefiella, dc, 1 to 2 

§ Clintonia, elegant blue, Clint on ia elegans, lto2 

§ Cockscomb, crimson and yellow, Celocia cristatn, hitea, 2 to 3 ' 

§ Collinsia, lilac, white, two-coloured, Collinsia ketrophilla, hicolor, 2 to 3 
•fcommelina, blue-flowering, Commelina coelestis, 1 

* Convolvulus, dwarf variegated, &c., Convolvulus minor, bicolor, etc. 1 to 2 
Coreopsis, Golden, dark centre, Callinp.sis tinctoria, 2 to 3 
§ Cotton Plant, cream, Gossypittm herbac£um, 3 to 4 
Crotalaria, purple, yellow, and white, Crofalaria verrucosa, etc., 1 to 2 
Cuphea, Mexican, scarlet, variegated, Cuphea lanceolata, Elenoides. 1 to 2 
t Dahlia, Mexican, various, I>ahlia superflua, 3 to 6 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 



19^ 



§ Denotes tender^ t Perennial. 



Difficult to 



Devil in the Bush, or Love in a Mist, Nigella damascena, 



blue, yellow, purple, white, &c. , 
Dwarf Love in a Mist, various, 
+ Dew Plant, crimson, 
+ Didiscus, azure blue, 
§ Egg-plant, white, for ornament, 
Erissimum, orange, 
+ Escholtzia, or Chryseis, yellow, red, 
and orange, 



Feet high. 
Hispanica, 



orientalis, sativa, etc., 1 to 2 

Nigella nana, 1 

Mesemhryanthemum glabrurn, 1 to 2 
Didiscus coeruletis, 2 to 3 

Salanum melongena, 1 to 2 

Erissimum perofskianttm, 1 to 2 
Escholtzia, crocea, cristata, Cal- 
Culifornica, etc., 1 

Eternal Flower, yellow, purple, and Xeranthemitm lucidum, vary lu- 

white, tea, hracteatum, alba, 2 to 3 

Euphorbia, variegated, Euphorbia variegata, 2 to 3 

* Evening Primrose, dwarf annual, CE not her a linearis, Drummondii, 

white, yellow, red, &c., tetraptera, micrantha, etc., I to 2 

* Evening Primrose, large yellow, (Eaofhera gram^ijlora, 2 to 3 

* Evening Primrose, willow-leaved, (Eaothera salcifolia, 3 to 4 

Stipa pinnata, avenacea, 
Adonis minafa, 
Francoa appendiculata, 
Gnlardia picta, 
Garilella nigellastrum, 
Gilia capitata, tricolor, etc-, 



Feather Grass, 

* Flos Adonis, or Pleasant Eye, red, 

t Francoa, pink and purple, 

§Galardia, orange and crimson, 

Garidella, Nigella like, 

Gilia, blue, pink, variegated, &c., 



^ Globe Amaranthus, crimson, white, Gomphrena globosa, 

Grove Love, blue, 

fGodetia tlie Twiggy, purple, 

Godetia the Ruddy, annual, 

Godetia, dwarf, purple, and spotted, 

* Gypsophila, pink and white, 
Hawkweed, yellow and red, 
§ Hibiscus, yellow, reddish centre, 

* Horned Poppy, yellow and scarlet, 
t Hunnemania, brilliant yellow, 
Hypecoum, three species, yellow, 
§ Ice Plant, white, 
t Jacobea, purple, spotted, &c.. 
Job's Tears, gray, 



lto2 

1 to 2 

1 to 2 

1 to 2 

1 to 2 

lto2 

lto2 

Nemophila insignis, 1 

Godetia viminea, 3 to 4 

Godetia rubricunda, 2 to 3 

Godetia lepida, Lyndleyana, etc., 1 to 2 

Gyps iphila elegans, viscosa, 1 to 2 

Crepis barbata rubra, 1 to 2 

Hibiscus Africanus, 2 to 3 

Glauceum luteum, phoeniceum, 2 to 3 

Hunnemania famerix, folia, 3 to 4 

Hypecoum prncambens, etc., 1 to 2 

Mesembryanthemum, var. 1 

Senecio purpuri^a, elegans, etc., 1 to 2 



Coix lachryma Jobi, 2 to 3 

Larkspur, dwarf Rocket, white, blue, Delphinium ajacis, alba, coeru- 

purple, pink, and other colours, lea, purpurea, etc, 1 to 2 

Larkspur, branching, various colours, Delphinium consolida, etc., 2 to 3 



Lavatpra, red, purple, and white, 
Love lies bleeding, crimson, 
Luparia, purple, 

* Lupins, dwarf annual, yellow, pur- 

ple, rosR, two-coloured, &c., 
Malesherbia, blue, 
•Malope, tall scarlet, &c., 

* Malope, dwarf crimson, rose, 
Marigold, African, yellow, orange. 



Lava^era, trimesfris, alba, etc., 4 to 6 
Amaranthus melancholicus, 1 to 2 
Lunaria purpurea, 1 to 2 

Lupinus nanus, densiflorus, bi- 

color, etc., 1 to 2 

Malesherbia coronafa, 2 to 3 

Malope grandiflora, etc., 3 to 4 

Malope Irifida, malacoides, 1 to 2 
Tagetes erecta, 3 to 4 



20 ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 

S Denotes tender. t Perennial. * Difficult to transplant 

Feet high. 
Marigold, French, variegated, Tagetes paf.ula, 2 to 3 

Marigold, sweet, yellow striped, Calendula officinalis, 1 to 2 

^ Marigold, Fig, yellow, Mesembryanthemum annuus, 1 

Martynia, or Cuckold's Horn, Martynia proboscidea, 2 to 3 

t Marvel of Peru, or Four O'CIocks, Mirabilis j'alapa, lutea, rubra, 

white, yellow, red, striped scented, striata, longiflora, etc., 2 to 3 

t Mignonette, sweet scented. Reseda odorata, under 1 

i" Monkey Flower, yellow, scarlet, Mimutus moschafus, cardinalis, 

rose, &c , variegated, rivularius, roseics, etc., 1 to 2 

§ Nierembergia, several varieties of Nierembergin intermedia, viola- 

various colours. cea, Phoenicia, etc., 2 to 3 

Nolana, in varieties, blue, Nolanap:radnxia,prostrata,etc 1 to 2 

• Oats, animated, green, Avena sensitiva, 2 to 3 
t Pansy, or Heart's Ease, purple, Viola tricolor, grandijlora, atro, 

blue, yellow, and numerous shades, purpurea, coerulea, lutea, etc., 

variegated, under 1 

Pentaptes, scarlet, Pentapfes Phoenicia, 1 to 2 

Phlox, annual, rosy red, &c. Phlox Dmmmondii, etc, 1 to 2 

Pimpernel, blue and scarlet, Anagallis indica, arvensis, 1 

* Poppy, lar:de white and scarlet, Papaver somniferum, coccinea, 3 to 4 

• Poppy, dwarf, scarlet, white, yel- Papaver rhoeas, nudicale, Persi- 

low, striped, Persian red, &c., cum, rubra, striata, etc., 1 to 2 

Portulaca, two var., purple, scarlet, Portulaca splendens, coccinea, 1 

Prince's Feather, crimson, Amaranthus hypocondriacus, 2 to 3 

Rocket Candytuft, white, &c., Iberls coronaria, etc., lto2 

Rose Campion, annual, dwarf red, Agrostemmac(Eli,rosea,githago, 

purple, white, striped, &c. lacta, etc., 1 

Salpiglossis, variegated, purple, &c., Salpiglossis, atro purpurea, 2 to 3 

Saphonaria, or Silene, rose, Saphonaria vaccaria, 2 to 3 

•f Schizanthus, in variety, orange, Schizanthus retusus, pinnatua, 

wing-leaved, &c., obtusifolia, etc., 

§ Sensitive Plant, red, Mimoso sensitiva, 

Shortia, yellow, Shortia Californica, 

% Stevia, Vanilla scented, white Stevia serrata. 

Stock Gilly, Virginian, lilac, Malcomia maritima. 

Strawberry Spinach, red fruit, Blitum cnpitatum, 

Strephtanthus, rose-coloured, Streptanthus ohtusifolius. 

Sunflower, yellow, Helianthus annuiis. 

Sunflower, dwarf, yellow, Helianthus minor, nanus. 

Sun Rose, spotted, Heliantheynum guttatum, 

* Sweet Balm, blue, Melissa odoratum, 

• Sweet Basil, blush, lilac, Ocymum basiliacum, 
Sweet Sultan, white, yellow, purple, Centaurea moschata, etc., 

* Ten Week Stock, scarlet, purple, Mathiola annua varieties groe- 

white, &c., ca. tenella, etc, 1 to 2 

§ Tobacco in varieties, scarlet, yellow, Nicotiana, tabacum, rustica, 3 to 4 

Touch me not, yellow, [&c,. Noli mi tangere, 1 

Trefoil, crimson and scented, Trifolium incamaium, etc., 3 to 4 



lto2 


under 1 


lto2 


lto2 


1 


lto2 


2 to 3 


6to8 


2to3 


1 to2 


lto2 


lto2 


lto2 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 21 

I Denotes tender. ^ Perennial. * Difficult to transplant. 

Feet high. 
• Venus's Looking-Glass, lilac, Campanula speculum, 1 to 2 

Vesicaria, in varieties, yellow, Vesicaria grandijiora, etc., 2 to 3 

t Verbena, in varieties, scarlet, rose. Verbena aubletia, bonariensis, 

blue, lilac, pink, &c., DrummondiU pulchella, etc., 1 to 3 

Zinnia, scarlet, yellow, violet-colour- Zinnia coccinta, latea, grandi- 

ed, red, &c., jiora, rubra, etc., 2 to 3 

The following are climbing and trailing plants, which should 
be planted in situations where they can be supported by poles, 
twine, or trellises. 

The tallest growing vines and creepers are best adapted 
to the covering of arbours, to create shade, or conceal any 
unsightly object ; the procumbent trailing and low climbing 
plants, such as the Nasturtium, Loasa, Petunia, Sweet Pea, 
&c., may be trained on trellis-work of an ornamental form, as 
that of a fan, balloon, or pyramid, which should be on a scale 
corresponding to the situation and extent of the garden. 

Feet high. 

Balloon Vine, or Love in a Puff, Cardiospermum halicacabum,over 10 

§ Balsam Apple and Pear, Momordica balsamina, over 10 

Bean Hyacinth, white and purple, Dolichos alba, purpurea, over 10 

§ Bean, scarlet flowering, Phaseolus multijiorus, over 10 

Bean, Castor Oil, or Palma Christi, Ricinus communis, 5 to 6 

§ Cypress Vine, scarlet and white, Ipomoea coccinea, alba, over 10 

Gourd, Mock Orange, in varieties, Cucurbita bicolor, aurantia, over 10 

Gourd, the Bottle, in varieties, Cucurbita lagenaria, elcvata, 10 

^ Loasa or Chillian Nettle, orange, Loasa lateritia, aurantiaca, etc., 3 to 6 

Maurandia, blue, Maurandia Barcldyana, over 10 

§ Morning Glory, scarlet striped, &&, Ipomoea coccinea, striata, efc.,over 10 

Morning Glory, of the Convolvulus Convolvulus major, purpurea, 

tribe, purple, striped, yellow, pink, ccerulea, striata, lutea, incar- 

white, &c., nata, alba, etc., over 10 

Nasturtium, orange and crimson, Tropceolum atrosanguineum, 

variegated, nana, etc., 4 to 6 

^Thunbergia, wing-leaved, purple, Thunbergia alata, etc., 4 to 6 

t Petunia, purple, white, rose, &c.. Petunia nyctaginiflora, etc., 2 to 3 

Sweet Peas, various complexions, Lathyrus odoratus, var. alba, 

white, purple, red, rose, striped, &c. purpurea, rosea, striata, etc., 3 to 4 

As many city gardens are so limited as not to admit of an 
extensive assortment of flowers, a select list may be made 
from the above catalogue, to suit the taste of such as may be 
so situated J and amateurs, who cultivate on a larger scale, 



22 ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 

can obtain such additional sorts as may be desired at the 
different seed stores, under their various names. 

Previous to providing annnal flower seed, the cultivator 
should lay out a plan of his garden, and in making allotments 
of ground for any particular purpose, provision should be 
made for a select assortment of such bulbous, tuberous, and 
perennial plants, as may be deemed most worthy of attention, 
not forgetting to leave room for some of the choicest varieties 
of the Dahlia, the qualities of which will be described hereafter. 

Another consideration is, to have at hand suitable imple- 
ments, so that the work may be performed in a skillful man- 
ner, and at the proper season. A spade, rake, hoe, trowel, 
drilling machine, and pruning knife, may be deemed essen- 
tial; and in order to have the beds laid out, with the edges 
straight and even, a garden line should be in readiness. If 
labels should be required, they may be made of shingles, 
which being split into strips about an inch wide, and sharp- 
ened at one end, will serve for marking distinct kinds, either 
in pots, or on the borders. In order to have the names or 
numbers written in legible characters, the labels should be 
painted on the smooth side with white lead, and then marked 
with a black lead pencil before the paint gets dry ; inscrip- 
tions made in this way will be as durable as the label itself. 

The next, and perhaps the most important consideration, 
is, to have the ground in good condition to receive the seed. 
In order to attain this desirable object, let some good rich 
compost, or very old manure, be provided and well mixed 
vrith the soil ; dig it a full spit deep, pulverizing every parti- 
cle. It would be an advantage if the ground could be dug 
to a great depth at the clearing up of winter, and then again 
at the period of sowing seed in the Spring : 

" I come, I come — ye have called me long — 
I come o'er the mountains with light and song! 
Ye may trace my steps o'er the wakening earth, 
By the winds which tell of the Violet's birth. 
By the Primrose-stars in the shadowy grass, 
By the green leaves opening as I pass." 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 23 

A mellow loam, which is a medium earth between the 
extremes of clay and sand, enriched with pulverized manure 
or compost, is adapted to the generality of flowering plants ; 
ground, however, of a boggy nature, composed of black 
earth, decayed leaves, &c., and in a low situation, is essen- 
tial to the luxuriant growth of amphibious plants, as Water 
Lilies, Iris, Lobelia, and the hke ; but as the cultivator has 
not always a choice, he may select such plants only as are 
most congenial to his peculiar soil and situation. 

Previous to digging flower beds or borders, care must be 
taken that they are so arranged that the ground may be a 
little elevated in the middle ; this is essential to the draining 
ofl" of a redundancy of water, as well as to the exhibition of 
plants to the greatest possible advantage. 

All kinds of annual flower seed may be sown in the months 
of April and May, on borders or beds of pulverized earth ; 
the beds should be levelled, and the seed sown either in small 
patches, each kind by itself, or in drills, from an eighth to 
half an inch deep, according to the size or nature of the 
seed. Lupins, Peas, &c., should be planted about half an 
inch deep. Those who would have their plants flower early, 
should sow the hardy kinds the last week in March, or early 
in April. Those varieties marked thus f, and thus §, may 
be sown in boxes, or pots of light earth, at the same time. 
These, if exposed to the sun every day, and sheltered in 
cold nights, will be forwarded in growth, and be fit to trans»- 
plant early in June. Those marked * may also be sown in 
small pots ; and as these plants will not bear transplanting, 
they should be turned out of the pots with the balls of earth 
entire, and placed in the ground where they are intended 
to flower ; or, if the seed be sown in a bed with other kinds, 
they should be carefully transplanted with a trowel, without 
disturbing their roots. 

The most eligible way to obtain early flowers is to prepare 
a slight hot-bed for the tender kinds, (see Calendar for Janu- 
ary,) and either plunge the pots therein up to their brims, 



24 ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 

or sow the seed in the earth in shallow drills, not more than 
a quarter of an inch deep. It may be necessary to state, 
that although, in favourable seasons, flower seed in general 
will come up in from one to three weeks after it is sown, 
the seed of the Cypress vine will not grow until settled warm 
weather, unless in a hot-bed ; it should be soaked fortibout 
half an hour in moderately warm water, previous to being 
sown. 

If some of the hardy annuals be sown in September, they 
will grow large enough to survive the winter, if slightly 
covered with straw or litter ; and if plants thus raised be 
transplanted early in the spring, they will produce very early 
flowers. The following are some of the hardiest : 

Alyssum, Sweet. Evening Primrose. 

Coreopsis, or Calliopsis. Larkspur, in varieties. 

China Aster, in varieties. Pansy, or Heart's Ease. 

Catch Fly. Poppy, in varieties. 

Chrysanthemum, in varieties. Rocket Larkspur. 

To prevent disappointment, I would recommend that great 
care be taken to keep the seed beds as clear from weeds as 
possible. It cannot be denied that young plants are apt to 
get smothered, and sometimes pulled up with weeds. To 
obviate this, I would suggest that the seed be sown in shallow 
drills, each kind by itself, and that an account be kept of the 
contents of each drill in a book ; also of all seed that are 
sown at different times ; and by being particular in the dates, 
you may always know when to expect your plants to come 
up. Those persons totally unacquainted with plants, will, 
by this means, be enabled to identify each particular kind, 
and thus become familiarly acquainted with them.* In order 

* Lest the reader should think that the author is here shifting his own 
duty and responsibility on the cultivator, it may be necessary to observe 
that a definition of all the peculiar qualities, forms, attitudes, and habits 
of growth, of the numerous species and varieties of plants embraced in an 
extensive catalogue, with minute directions for the most appropriate culture 
of each, would alone occupy more space than is allotted to this treatise ; 
and that to expatiate on all the various features of the floral kingdom is a 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 25 

that this may be rendered plain to my readers, I shall adopt 
the following plan of entry of six kinds sown in pots, and 
BIX in the open ground : 

April 20, sowed flower seed in pots. 

Pot marked A, or 1, Amaranthus tricolor. 

" B, or 2, Balsamines. 

" C, or 3, Cockscomb. 

" D, or 4, Egg Plant. 

« E, or 5, Ice Plant. 

•* F, or 6, Mignonette. 

These pots may be either marked with letters or figures 
on the outside, to answer with the book, or notches may be 
cut in wood, or other labels affixed to the pots, and entered 
accordingly. 

A pril 30, sowed flower seed in drills, as under : 
No. 1, Bladder Ketmia. 

2, Coreopsis Tinctoria. 

3, Yellow Eternal Flower. 

4, Globe Amaranthus. 
6, Princes' Feather. 
6. Larkspur, branching. 

If these numbers be continued to 100, or even 1,000, there 
can be no mistake, provided the rows are all marked accord- 
ing to the entry in the book ; or if No. 1 be noted, plain 
sticks will answer afterward, if one be stuck at each end of 
every row. In this case it would be well to leave a space 
every ten or twenty rows, and note the number of rows ; by 
this means, they can be more easily traced. 

task which no author has ever attempted ; nor can any library be found 
containing such a desideratum. 

The cultivator of a small garden may, however, by means of a memo- 
randum book, describe the peculiarities of such plants as come under his 
special care, as upright, procumbent, trailing, climbing, bushy, slender- 
stalked, herbaceous, shrubby, &c., and thus learn how to cultivate and 
arrange the same, or similar plants, advantageously in succeeding years ; 
and it must be admitted that a few flowers, selected so as to harmonize in 
their colours and habits of growth, cultivated with precision, as respects 
soil and situation congenial to them, and trained and pruned into regular 
and compact shapes, will yield more pleasure and amusement than three 
times the number taken promiscuously and cultivated under one uniform 
treatment, as is the general, though not most judicious, practice. 

3 



26 ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 

Some species of Dwarf Annuals, such as Sweet Alyssum, 
Candytuft, Clarkia Pulchella, Mignonette, Pimpernell, and 
such others as grow not over a foot in height, may be culti- 
vated in small beds, either separate or two or three kinds 
mixed together, Clarkia Pulchella suits very well with 
Mignonette, as it will thrive in moderately poor soil, which is 
the best adapted for that plant when fragrance is an object * 

The best way to manage the mixed species, is to level a 
narrow border of rather poor soil, and sow it all over with 
Mignonette, then with Clarkia Pulchella ; when the plants 
are up, both kinds should be thinned out equally, so as to 
leave the plants from one to two inches apart all over the 
bed ; these, when they come into blossom, will form a rich 
mass, and have a very pretty effect, the bushiness of the 
Mignonette hiding the naked stalks of the Clarkia. The 
White Alyssum and Purple Candytuft form a pleasing con- 
trast when mixed in equal proportions, and also the Dwarf 
Gilia and Blue Pimpernell. 

The new species of Dwarf Annual Phlox, {Phlox Drtm- 
mondii,) are described in a London Magazine as a splendid 
sight when cultivated in a bed. " Every flower, though of 
the deepest carmine, has its petals of a pale blush colour on 
the under side, and every petal, though of the palest pink, 
has a dark carmine spot at its base. Thus the variety of 
colours displayed in a bed of these flowers, almost exceeds 
description ; and when they are seen under a bright sun, and 
agitated by a gentle breeze, the effect is extraordinarily 
brilUant." 

When seed are intended to be sown in patches, which is 
often done for want of an unoccupied border, the best way 

* The reason that some Mignonette has scarcely any scent is, because 
the soil in which it is cultivated is too rich ; and this leads me to remark 
farther, that what some call Tree Mignonette, and admire on account of its 
fragrance, is not a distinct variety, but the ordinary kind, cultivated as a 
perennial plant. It may be propagated by cuttings, and trained so as to 
form a tree ; which being transplanted into poor ground, will yield more 
fragrance than when grown as an annual in a rich compost. 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEED. 27 

to perform this business is, after having pulverized the soil, 
to impress circular drills in the surface w^ith the rim of a 
flower pot, which may be large or small, according to fancy. 
By sowing seed in such circular drills, the plants can be more 
easily traced than when scattered promiscuously over the 
ground, and the weeds can be destroyed with less risk and 
trouble. Such kinds as are marked in the Catalogue thus * 
may remain as sown, or, if parted, they should be removed 
with a scoop trowel in a careful manner, in small tufts ; and 
this business, as well as transplanting in general, should 
always be done immediately preceding or after rain, and in 
cloudy weather.t 

Herbaceous plants in general will not flower well if gi'own 
in clusters ; they should, therefore, be thinned or trans- 
planted into the regular beds, at all favourable opportunities, 
after they get about an inch in height ; and as there is always 
a risk of some plants not taking root, it is safest to plant a 
few of each sort every time, taking care to diversify the 
colours, and also to leave a few plants in the seed beds, for 
the purpose of substituting in the room of such plants whose 
period of flowering may be over ; as is the case generally 
with early Perennial plants and bulbs, at about the season 
that the last of the Annuals are fit to remove. 

The transplanting may be done with a small trowel, or a 
neat dibble made for the purpose. 

t The risk and trouble of transplanting may be avoided by adopting the fol- 
lowing method of sowing the seed. Take a dollar package of twenty varieties, 
and number the bags from one to twenty ; then sow a circle from each bag 
in the order in which they are numbered, and insert a short stick in the 
centre of each circle as a mark. By this method the twenty varieties are 
distributed along the border in succession, and as each bag will be sufficient 
for three circles, sixty circles, or three assortments of twenty varieties, may 
be sown in three different aspects of the garden, which will not only give 
the various flowers the best possible chance with regard to exposure, but 
show the varieties to the greatest possible advantage. By preserving the 
bags, the mere novice, by referring to the name and number on each, will 
become acquainted with the different varieties, from the order in which they 
stand in his garden. This system may be practised to advantage either on 
a large or small scale. 



28 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 



TO THE CATALOGUE OF 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEED. 



The remarks preceding our Catalogue of Annuals will, 
with few exceptions, apply to that of Biennials and Peren- 
nials ; and it may be observed farther, that the circulation of 
the sap in the roots and stalk of plants is influenced by like 
causes, and subject to the same vicissitudes, as the germin- 
ation of seed, which principle is exemplified by some plants 
of various species putting forth their leaves and flowers at a 
later period than others in the same location, as if waiting 
for nature to replenish the earth with food adapted to their 
respective requirements; which, by the gradual changes from 
cool to temperate, and from that to warm weather, is effected 
to that degree as to enable all the various species of plants, 
collected from every climate and soil under the sun, to reward 
the industrious cultivator by a gradual exhibition of their fasci- 
nating blossoms, and a distribution of their odoriferous sweets, 
throughout the three propitious seasons of the year, i. c, 
spring, summer, and autumn. 

In distinguishing between Biennials and Perennials, I have 
only marked such as are apt to die after once blossoming, 
and which can only be renewed from seed. Some of th«:)se 
species, frequently classed %vith Biennials, as Aquilegia or 
Columbines, Dianthus, &c., are in reality Perennial, and 
may be easily perpetuated from year to year, by suckers, lay- 
ers, or any of the ordinary methods of propagation ; and here 
I would observe, that frequent renewal of the roots of Per- 
ennials is absolutely necessary to their prosperity or very 
existence J and also that many species are by nature best 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWERS. 29 

adapted for propagation at the footstalks, from their yielding 
little or no seed at the top of the plant. This is particularly 
the case with choice double-flowering plants, the roots of 
which, in many cases, constitute the seed; these, consequently, 
must be perpetuated by root offsets, cuttings, &c. 

The annexed Catalogue embraces a great proportion of 
the most desirable of what are termed fibrous-rooted herba- 
ceous plants ; the seed or roots of which may be obtained at 
seed stores and nurseries. The estimated height applies to 
plants of a year's growth; some will arrive to more than 
three times that height when cultivated in a greenhouse, and 
even in open ground culture the same plants will vary con- 
siderably, according to the soil or situation in which they are 
grown ; the specified height however, although unavoidably 
imperfect, may serve as a guide to the gardener in arranging 
his flower beds. Those marked thus t, being tender and half 
hardy, will need protection in the winter; those marked thus || 
are Biennial ; those marked thus * yield little or no seed. 
There are also many other species of which the seed is un- 
attainable, from its being suffered to scatter by the wind, and 
in some cases, from the climate being unfavourable to its 
ripening ; these, as will be shown hereafter, may be perpetu- 
ated by other methods. 



3» 



30 



A CATALOGUE 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWER SEED. 
Graines de flettrs bisanmielles et vivaces. 



♦ Denotes tender. t Biennial. * Seed unattainable. 



Adonis, Spring-flowering, yellow, 

Alpine Columbine, purple, 

Alyssum, yellow, 

Asclepias, orange, purple, &c., 

Asiatic Globe Flower, yellow, 

t Auricula, variegated, 

tBalm of Gilead, fragrant, 

Bee Larkspur, blue and brown, 

Bergamo t, crimson, blue, 

*tCanary Aster, purple, 

tCalceolaria, various colours. 

Campanula Peren., blue, white, &c., 

UCanterbury Bells, blue, white, 

fCaper Tree, green. 

Cardinal Flower, in varieties, scarlet. 

Cassia, Maryland, yellow, 

tCarnation Pink, various colours, 

*tCelcia, red and yellow, variegated, 

Chinese Imperial Pink, variegated, 

tChinese Primrose, lilac, white, 

fCistus, yellow, 

t Clan dan thus, white, 

tClerodendron, scarlet. 

Clove Imperial Pink, crimson, 

tColutea, scarlet, 

•Coreopsis, Perennial, in varieties, 

yellow, 
*tCoronilla, yellow, 
*Coronet, or double Lychnis, scarlet, 
llClary, purple-topped. 
Columbine, various colours, 
*tDaisy, Garden, various colours, 
Dragon's Head, bluish pink. 
Dragon's Head, purple and striped, 
European Globe Flower, yellow, 
JEvening Primrose, yellow, 
Eupatorium, blue, white, 
|Fox-glove, purple, white, , 



Feet higb. 
Adonis vemalis, 2 to 3 

Aqxiilegia alpina, lto2 

Alyssum saxatile, 1 

Asclepias incarnata, etc., 2 to 3 

Trollius Asiaiicus, 3 to 4 

Primula auricula, under 1 

Dracocephalum canariense, 1 

Delphinium elatum, 4 to 6 

Monarda Kalmiana, didyma, 2 to 3 
Cineraria amelloides, 1 

Calceolaria variabilis, 2 to 3 

Campanula persicafolia, etc. 2 to 3 
Campanula medium, 2 to 3 

Euphorbia lathyrus, 2 to 3 

Lobelia cardinatis, etc., 3 to 4 

Cassia Marylandica,. 3 to 4 

Bianthus caryophyllus, 1 to 2 

Celcia orient alis, 1 to 2 

Bianthus Chinensis, 1 to 2 

Primula Chinensis, under 1 

Cistus guttatus, 1 to 2 

Clandanthus arabicus, 2 to 3 

Clerodendron speciosum, 4 to 5 

Bianthus hortensis, 1 to 2 

Sutherlandia frutescens, 2 to 3 

Calliopsis grandiflora, lanceola- 

tum, auriculata, etc., 2 to 3 

Coronilla glauca, 2 to 3 

Lychnis coronata, 2 to 3 

Salvia sclara, 1 to 2 

Aquilegia vulgaris, 1 to 2 

Bellis perennis, hortensis, uiider 1 
Bracocephalum Virginianum, 3 to 4 
Bracocephalum argumense, etc. 1 to 2 
Trollius Europceus, 2 to 3 

CEnothera biennis, 3 to 4 

Eupatorium cerulea, etc., 2 to 3 

Bigitalis purpurea^ alba, 3 to 4 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWERS. 



31 



t Denotes tender. B Biennial. * Seed unattainable. 



Fraxinella, red, white, 
Gentian, purple, yellow, white, 
Gentian, porcelain-flowered, 
+Geranium, various colours, 
Globe Thistle, purple, 
tHepatica, blue, pink. 
Hibiscus, pink, white, purple, 
Hollyhock, Antwerp, China, and 

English, of various colours, 
IJHonesty, or Satin Flower, blush, 
flndian Shot, yellow, scarlet, 
til Ipomopsis, scarlet, 
Ivy-leaved Toad Flax, pink, 
Jacob's Ladder, blue, 
tJerusalem Cherry, red fruit. 
Larkspur, Perennial, purple, pink, 

white, &c., 
*Liatris, long spiked, purple, 
*Lily of the Valley, white, 
fLotus, brown, 
+Lisianthus, scarlet, 
+Lupin, Perennial, blue, white, 

changeable, &c., 
•Lychnidea, or American Phlox, lilac, 

purple, red, white, &c., 
*Lychnidea, early, pink, &c., 
♦Lychnis, Mountain, variegated, 
Lychnis, scarlet, 
London Pride, variegated, 
+Mesembryanthemum, variegated, 

yellow, white, purple, &c., 
*t Mexican Sage, scarlet. 
Monk's Hood, white, blue, &c.. 
Monkey Flower, yellow, purple spots, 
fOleander, pink, white, 
*Pardanthus, Chinese, orange, 
Pentstemon, purple. 
Perennial Flax, purple, 
tPeriwinkle, Madagascar, rose, white. 
Pink, Pheasant-eyed, variegated, 
t Polyanthus, variable and splendid, 
Poppy, Perennial, red, yellow, 
Potentilla, rose, puce, yellow, 
+ 11 Pyramidal Bell Flower, blue, 
*Queen of the Meadows, white, rose, 
*Ragged Robin, or Red Lychnis, 
Rocket, Garden, purple, 
11 Rose Campion, or Mullen Pink, 

rose, white, &c., 



Feet high. 
Dictamnus rubra, alba, 1 to 2 

Gentian a purpurea, lutea, cfc, 1 
Gentiana adacendens, 2 to 3 

Pelargonium zonale, 2 to 3 

Echinops sphoerocephalus, 2 to 3 

Anemone hepatica, under 1 

Hibiscus palustris,speciosus, etc 3 to 4 
Althea flora Chinensis, Anglica, 

etc., 4 to 5 

Lunaria biennis, 2 to 3 

Canna Indica, lutea, coccinea, 1 to2 
Ipomopsis elegans^ 3 to 4 

Lunaria, cymbalaria, 1 to 2 

Polemonium ceruleum, 1 to 2 

Solanum pseudo, capsicum, 2 to 3 
Delphinium grandifiorum, pe- 

rennis, 2 to 3 

Liatris spicata, elegans, etc., 3 to 4 
Convalleria majalis, 1 

Lotus Jacobeus, 2 to 3 

Lisianthus Russellianus, 2 to 3 

Lupinus perennis, mutabilis, 

variabilis, etc., ' 2 to 3 

Phlox puniculafa accuminata 

pyramidalis, odorata, etc., 3 to 4 
Phlox subulata, stolonifera, etc. 1 to 2 
Lychnis Alpina, 1 to 2 

Lychnis Chalcedonica, 3 to 4 

Dianthus deltoides, 1 

Mesembryanthemum acinaci- 

forme, spectabile, tricolor, etc., 1 to 2 
Salvia splendens, 2 to 3 

Aconitum album,versicolor,etc. 4 to 6 
Mimulus ringens, luteus, etc. 1 to 2 
Nerium Oleander, 2 to 3 

Pardanthus Chinensis, 1 to 2 

Pentstemon campanulata, 2 to 3 
Linum perennis, 2 to 3 

Vinca rosea, alba, 1 to 2 

Dianthus plumarius, under 1 
Primula polyanthus, under 1 
Papaver orientate, bracteata, 2 to 3 
Potentilla formoso, splendens, 1 to 2 
Campanula pyramidalis, 3 to 4 

Spiraea ulmaria, lobata, etc, 3 to 4 
Agrostemma flos cucula, 1 to 2 

Hesperis mntronalis, 2 to 3 

Agrostemma coronaria, rosea, 

alba, etc., 2 to 3 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWERS. 



t Denotes tender. a Biennial. * Seed unattainable. 



Rudbeckia, yellow, purple, 
Saphonaria, rose blush, 
•Saxifrage, rose white, purple, 
fSnapdragon, white, red, variegated, 

in several splendid varieties, 
Sophora, white, blue, &c., 
+11 Stock Gilliflower, numerous varie- 
ties, scarlet, white, purple, striped, 
•Sunflower, yellow, 
JSweet Scabious, purple, brown, 
Sweet William, various colours, 
•Thrift, pink and red, 
Valerian, Garden, red, white, 
Valerian, Sweet-scented, blue, 
Veronica, variegated, blue, 
•Violet, Fragrant, white, blue, &c., 
til Wallflower, bloody, yellow, 
•+ Wallflower, double perennial, 
+11 Wall-leaved Stock Gilliflower, 
•Windflower, various colours, 
Yucca, or Adam's Needle, white, 



Feet high. 
Rudbeckia, lutea, purpurea, 3 to 4 
Saphonaria officinalis, etc., 1 to 2 
Saxifraga urnbroso,crassifolia, 1 
Antirrhinum bicolor, versicolor, 

coccinea, spartium, etc., 1 to 2 

Sophora alba, autralis, 2 to 3 

Mathiola incanus, coccinea, alba, 

purpurea, striata, etc., 1 to 2 

Helianthusperennis, altissimus, 3 to 4 
Scabiosa atro, purpurea, etc., 2 to 3 
Dianthus barbatus, 1 to 2 

Statice vulgaris, speciosa, under 1 
Valeriana rubra, alba, 2 to 3 

Polomonium cerulea, 3 to 4 

Veronica variegata, cerulea, 2 to 3 
Viola odorata, alba, cerulea, under 1 
Cherianthus cheiri, 1 to 2 

Cheirantkus perennis, 1 to 2 

Cheiranthus glaber, 1 to 2 

Anemone coronaria, 1 to 2 

Yucca filamentoca,gl€riosa, etc. 3 to 4 



CLIMBING PLANTS. 



[For the other lists of Climbing Plants, see Catalogue of 
Flowering and Ornamental Shrubs ; also the Catalogue of 
Annuals.] 



Calampelis, orange, 
+Climbing Cobea, dark purple. 
Everlasting Peas, pink, 
IFrench Honeysuckle, white, red, 
+ Lophospermum, pink, 
+Passion Flower, various colours, 



Eccremocarpus scdbra, over 6 

Cobea scandens, over 20 

Lathyrus latifolius, rosea, over 10 
Hedysarum coronarium, etc., over 6 
Lophospermum scandens, over 6 
Passiflora incarnata, etc., over 20 



The reader is here reminded that our Catalogue of Annual 
Flower Seed contains a few varieties of Perennials, which 
were there introduced because of their aptness to blossom 
the first season of the seed being sown ; these, with those 
marked t in the last Catalogue, may be sown and treated in 
the manner recommended for tender Annuals. Those in- 
tended to be cultivated as green-house plants, should be 
taken up before the approach of cold weather, transplanted 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWERS. 35 

into flower-pots, and sheltered either in a garden-frame, 
green-house, or Hght room. Those plants with tuberous 
roots, such as Dahlias, Marvel of Peru, and also some others 
of the Bean and Pea tribe, may be cut down late in the au- 
tumn, and the roots taken up and preserved in the same 
manner as those of other tuberous and bulbous-rooted plants, 
of which I shall treat hereaftec. 

Hardy Biennial and Perennial flower seed may be sown 
in the month of April, in shallow drills. If this business be 
performed in the manner recommended for Annuals, they 
can be easily distinguished from each other ; and as these 
plants do not flower the first year, they may be thinned out, 
or removed from the seed-beds as soon as they are well 
rooted, and planted either in different parts of the flower- 
beds, or in a nursery-bed. If the latter plan be adopted, 
they should be planted in rows a foot or more apart, and 
kept free from weeds by means of a small hoe, which will 
greatly promote their growth, and prepare them for trans- 
planting into the regular and permanent blossoming-beds, 
either in the autumn or early in the ensuing spring. 

It may be here observed that Biennials seldom survive the 
second wdnter to flower in perfection, unless they are renewed 
by cuttings of top shoots, young flower stalks, or casual off*- 
sets, layers, &c. It will be unnecessary to take this trouble^ 
unless with some extraordinary double-flowering plants. 
Some of the Perennials may be increased by root offsets 
detached from the old plants, and planted in spring or au- 
tumn; others by bottom suckers and slips of top shoots, 
layers, pipings of young shoots, &c. Pinks, Sweet Williams, 
Pansies, and double Violets, also Periwinkle, or running 
Myrtle, and many other similar plants, may be increased by 
simply laying their branches an inch or two under the sur- 
face, in July and August. After roots have formed, which 
may be expected in six or eight weeks, each tuft or plant 
may be transplanted into the borders. 

Many sorts of Biennial and Perennial flower seed may be 



34 BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 

sown in September, or as soon as lipe ; and if the plants get 
strong before winter sets in, some of them will flower the 
ensuing summer. The following are among the hardiest : 

Adonis, Spring-flowering. Lychnis, in varieties. 

Alpine Columbine. Larkspur, perennial. 

Alyssum, yellow. Rose Campion, in varieties. 

Bee Larkspur. Rocket, in varieties. 

Columbine, in varieties. Scabious, in varieties. 

Evening Primrose. Valerian, Garden. 



Fox-glove, in varieties. Veronica 

Fraxinella. 

Hollyhock, in varieties. 



Everlasting Peas,^ .. , . 
Virgin's Bower, ^^•«>^«»&- 



It may be necessary here to remind the reader of those 
species of beautiful double-flowering Perennial herbaceous 
plants, which do not produce seed ; some of these are in- 
cluded in our Catalogue ; they may be obtained at the nur- 
series, and should be introduced into the regular flower-beds, 
either in autumn or early in the spring; the best mode of 
increasing these, and all double-flowering Perennials raised 
from seed, is by layers, cuttings, offsets, &c., detached from 
the old plants.* 

As the earth in the flower-beds will require to be fresh 
dug and replenished with good compost or manure once in 
two or three years, it may be necessary to take up all the 
Perennial plants at such times. Sucti roots as are overgrown 
shouid be deprived of their surplus offsets, and either planted 
in a nursery-bed, or returned with the parent plants into the 



* It may here be observed, that the most certain method of obtaining dou- 
ble flowers, is by propagation from Perennial plants. Many seed custom- 
ers feel disappointed if they do not in every case procure double flowers from 
seed, which is unreasonable, because, although seed will, under ordinary 
circumstances, reproduce its species, it will by no means uniformly pro- 
duce the particular variety by which it was borne. The experience of 
numerous amateurs will corroborate this fact, who frequently, after saving 
seed from their most perfect flowers, have the mortification of witness- 
ing such degeneracy the following season as would lead them to doubt 
its identity, had the seed been obtained from any other source. Seed gath- 
ered from double Balsams, or Lady Slippers, for instance, will frequently 
produce semi-double and single flowers the next season. 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. S5 

regular flower-beds ; they should be inserted a little deeper 
than before, and the fine fresh earth distributed well about 
the fibres. 

In removing plants into the beds where they are intended 
to blossom, great pains should be taken to preserve some of 
the earth to their roots. The ground should be previously 
brought into good condition, so that they may strike freely, 
and produce their flowers in perfection. The plants should 
be so arranged that they may all be seen, the most dwarfish 
being placed in front, and the taller kinds in regular grada- 
tions behind ; or the tallest may be planted along the middle 
of the beds, and the others on each side, according to their 
varied heights and colours. 

There is no part of gardening which requires so much 
the exercise of taste and fancy, as in setting off a border or 
bed of intermixed flowers to advantage. In association with 
other flowers, the different kinds of hardy bulbs may be 
planted in small clumps of six, seven, or eight inches in 
diameter, three, four, five, or more roots in each, according 
to their size and growth, and these at suitable distances from 
each other. Likewise observe to diversify the kinds and 
colours, so as to display, when in bloom, the greatest possi- 
ble variety of shades and contrasts. 

If green-house plants be plunged into the flower borders 
in the month of May, they will not only tend to ornament 
the garden by their diversity of foliage and blossom, but the 
roots will receive a more uniform supply of moisture, than 
if the pots were exposed to the sun and wind : care should, 
however, be taken to give the different species a situation 
suitable for them. Hydrangeas, Primulas, Daisies, Olean- 
ders, Camellias, China Roses, and half-hardy plants in gene- 
ral, thrive best in a moderately shaded situation. Gerani- 
ums, Jasmines, Heliotropes, &c., may be plunged in a sunny 
situation, provided they be regularly supplied with water. 
Many species planted for ornament in the flower borders, 
may at the same time be propagated by layers. The Fuchsia 



36 BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 

or Ear-drop, Passion Flower, Heliotrope, Carnation, Petu- 
nia, running Verbena, &c., will, if layed in June or July, 
exhibit their blossoms in perfection, and yield young plants, 
which being preserved through winter, may be used to re- 
plenish flower-beds the ensuing spring * 

* In some countries the wealthy have changeable jiower gardens, which 
are so arranged that their productions can be changed at pleasure, so that 
whenever any plant, or group of plants, begins to decay, it can be removed, 
and its place supplied by others coming into bloom. To effect this, a large 
reserve-nursery is requisite, in which the plants must be kept in pots, and 
removed and plunged in the borders as wanted. Sir W. Chambers informs 
us that the Chinese excel in this mode of gardening ; and that he has 
known a mandarin (or noble) to have the whole furniture and style of his 
parterre changed in a single night, so as to present next morning not only 
a different description of flowers, shrubs, and dwarf trees, but a different 
arrangement of the beds and compartments. Something of the same kind 
is practised in the gardens of the Tuileries, in Paris ; in some of the im- 
perial gardens at Petersburgh, and in the vice-royal gardens at Monza. 
Gardens of this description admit of a very perfect arrangement of the 
flowers, whether in the mingled manner, in select groups, or according to 
the natural method. It is only with such resources that a flower gar- 
dener can " paint his way," as Sir W. Chambers says the Chinese artists 
do, " not scattering their flowers indiscriminately about their borders, but 
disposing of them with great circumspection along the skirts of the plant- 
ations, or other places where flowers are to be introduced. They reject all 
that are of a straggling growth, and of harsh colours and poor foliage, 
choosing only such as are of some duration, grow either large or in clus- 
ters, are of beautiful forms, well leaved, and of tints that harmonize with the 
greens that surround them. They avoid all sudden transitions, both with 
regard to dimension and colour, rising gradually from the smallest flowers 
to those of the boldest growth; and varying their tints, by easy gradations, 
from white, straw-colour, purple, and incarnate, to the deepest blues, and 
most brilliant crimsons and scarlets. They frequently blend several roots 
together, whose leaves and flowers unite, and compose one rich, harmoni- 
ous mass ; such as the white and purple Candytuft, Larkspurs, and Mal- 
lows of various colours, double Poppies, Lupins, Primroses, Pinks, and 
Carnations ; with many more of which the forms and colours accord with 
each other ; and the same method they use with flowering shrubs, blending 
white, red, and variegated roses together, purple and white lilacs, yellow 
and white jasmines, altheas of various sorts, and as many others as they 
can with any propriety unite. By these mixtures they increase considera- 
bly the variety and beauty of their compartments. In their large planta- 
tions, the flowers generally grow in the natural ground ; but in flower gar- 
dens, and all other parts that are highly kept, they are in pots buried in 
the ground, which, as fast as the bloom goes off, are removed, and others 
are brought to supply their places ; so that there is a constant succession 
for almost every month in the year ; and the flowers are never seen but in 
the height of their beauty." — Loudon^s Encyclopobdia of Gardening. 



BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 3T 

It may be observed farther, that established plants will 
always produce their blossoms earlier and stronger in the 
spring, than those recently transplanted ; it should, there- 
fore, be an object with gardeners to do the business of form- 
ing permanent flower-beds and of transplanting hardy Peren- 
nial and Biennial plants, in September or October. 

The hardy bulbous roots must also be planted in October 
or November, which on being properly preseiTed through 
the winter, will embellish the parterre in spring by their 
early and First Flowers. 

*' First flowers of the spring time, 

Bright gems of the year, 
All lovely and blooming, 

How fresh ye appear ; 
Springing up in the garden, 

The hedge-row and vale, 
Enriched by the showers. 

And fann'd by the gale." 

In my preliminary observations, I directed the attention 
of my readers to some important points respecting walks, 
edgings, &c. Although box is superior to any thing else 
for edgings, yet, in extensive gardens, dwarf plants of vari- 
ous kinds may be used for such purpose. Thrift is the neat- 
est small evergreen next to box ; but Violets, Pinks, Peri- 
winkle, Pansy, Iris, Stone Crop, or even Parsley, Thyme, 
Strawberry plants, &c., may be used for the sake of diver- 
sity. These will require frequent watering and trimming, 
and the Thrift, &c., should be sometimes taken up, divided 
at the roots, and replanted. 

Box edgings will also require frequent pruning and trim- 
ming ; and once in from seven to ten years the whole may 
be taken up, divided, and replanted, and the surplus slips 
may be planted in a nursery-bed, in rows about afoot apart; 
these will be suitable for making edgings the year following. 

Flower-beds should be kept free from weeds, and watered 
occasionally in the summer. In the autumn they should be 
covered with leaves, straw, or liglit litter; this should bo 

4 



38 FLOWERING ANU ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

taken otf in the spring, and the ground hoed and dressed in 
such a manner as to enliven the earth around the roots of 
the plants, and to give the vs^hole a neat appearance. 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 
Arbrisseaux d^Ornement. 

Shrubs are so closely connected vv^ith flowering plants, 
and, indeed, so many of them are embellished with flowers, 
that they may be considered as essential to the completion 
of an ornamental garden. They are all Perennial, and are 
divided into two classes, deciduous and evergreen ; the for- 
mer lose their leaves in the winter, the latter only shed them 
when others are ready to supply their places. 

Shrubs are not only necessary to the embellishment of a 
flower garden, but many kinds are eligible for hedges to it, 
and may be planted at a trifling expense. These hedges, 
should be frequently trimmed and trained, the sides cut even 
and the tops sparingly clipped, so as to make them orna- 
mental as well as useful, and also to increase the vigour of 
their growth. When hedges become open or naked at the 
bottom, they should be plashed down ; this is done by cut- 
ting the branches half through near the ground; they will 
then bend easily, and may be interwoven with the adjoining 
branches. 

When shrubs, creepers, or climbers, are planted against 
walls or trellises, either on account of their rarity, delicacy, 
or to conceal a rough fence, or other unsightly object, they 
require different modes of training ; some attach themselves 
naturally, as the Ivy, and merely require to be occasionally 
guided, so as to cause a regular distribution of their shoots ; 
others must be treated like fruit trees, trained thinly, if 
blossoms are the object, and rather thick, if the intention be 
to show the foliage to the greatest possible advantage. 



FLOWERING APO) ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 39 

Ornamental shrubs grow from one foot to twelve or more 
feiet in height ; and where such are planted for ornament, the 
height of each plant, when full grown, should be considered, 
and also the mode of growth, that every one may be so 
planted as to show to advantage, observing that the tall- 
growing kinds should be planted in the back part of the 
borders, and those of low growth in front ; but if they are 
required to be planted in clumps, they should be so arranged 
as to rise gi^adually from the sides to the middle, and be 
afterward neatly trimmed. 

Shrubs require an annual pruning, at which time, cut out 
all in-egular and superfluous branches, and head down such 
as require it, forming them into handsome bushes. Apply 
stakes to such as need support, and see that the low-growing 
ones do not injure each other, or interfere with other dwarf- 
ish plants near them. 

Many kinds of shrubs may be raised from seed sown 
early in the spring, but are more commonly propagated by 
suckers, layers, or cuttings. Like other plants, they require 
a good soil, which should be manured every two or three 
years, and some of the tender kinds should have some pro- 
tection in winter. 

The following list, taken from * The New- York Farmer,' 
furnished by Mr. Floy, contains the most of those usually 
planted in gardens and on lawns. These will afford a suc- 
cession of flowers from spring until autumn, and may be ob- 
tained at the nurseries at moderate prices. 



CATALOGUE, &c. 

Amorpha fruticosa, Indigo shrub, produces handsome 
bunches of purple flowers in June and July. 

Amygdalus nana, Dwarf double-flowering Almond ; a very 
beautiful shrub, about three feet high ; blossoms early ia 
April. 



40 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

Jiralia spinosa, or Angelica tree, about ten feet high; 
flowers in very large bunches, and continues a long while in 
bloom. 

Cytisus Laburnum, or Golden Chain ; a most elegant shrub, 
producing long racemes or bunches of yellow flowers in 
June and July ; there are two kinds, the English and the 
Scotch Laburnum. The Scotch is the largest, forming a 
pretty large shrub ; the English kind is greener, more com- 
pact, and by some thought to be the handsomest ; they ought 
to be in every garden. 

Calycanthus Floi'idus, Allspice, or sweet-scented shrub, a 
ntitive of the Southern States ; the flowers are of a very 
dark chocolate colour, and the fragrance veiy much resem- 
bles ripe strawberries ; easily kept when once introduced. 
This shrub generally grows about five feet high in gardens, 
and blossoms from May to August. 

Ceanothus Americanus, Red Root, or Jersey Tea Tree ; a 
plant or two in the collection, as it flowers in profusion, is 
worth having. 

Cercis siliquasfrum, or Judas tree. The flowers appear 
very early in the spring, before the leaves come out, and 
make a fine appearance ; as it grows rather tall, it is calcu- 
lated for the back row of the shrubbery. 

Colutea arborescens, or Bladder Senna, having bunches of 
yellow flowers in June and July, which are succeeded by 
seed in a kind of bladder ; calculated for the back or centre 
row of shrubberies. 

Cral(zgus oxyacantha, the Hawthorn. It makes a pretty 
appearance planted out singly in the back or centre row ; 
the flowers are very fragrant ; it is sometimes called the 
Pride of May ; the double white, double scarlet, and single 
scarlet Hawthorn, are very beautiful, and ought to be in 
every plantation. Hawthorn hedges are much used in Eng- 
land, where they look very handsome when clipped ; but 
they do not answer so well in this country, the heat of our 
eummers causing the leaves to fall ofl" early, often in July ; 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 41 

on that account they are not much used. We have several 
things which are better calculated for that purpose. 

Cydonia Japonica, or Pyrus Japonica, a very beautiful 
scarlet flowering shrub, from Japan. It is found to be very 
hardy, resisting our most severe frosts ; it flowers very early, 
and continues a long time in bloom. A second flowering 
takes place in the latter part of the summer. It is every 
way a desirable shrub. 

Daphne mezerion, one of our most early flowering 
shrubs, which blooms freely in April and May, and is very 
sweet-scented. It is rather tender in some situations, 
but will stand our ordinary winters very well in a sheltered 
situation. 

Dirca palustris, or Leather Wood ; a pretty little shrub, 
growing very regular in shape, and has the appearance of a 
large tree in miniature ; it is a native of our Northern 
States ; the flowers, which appear very early in the spring, 
are yellow, and come out before the leaves. 

Gymnocladits Canadensis, or Kentucky Coflee tree. The 
berries bear a resemblance to coffee, and are said to be a 
good substitute for it ; however, it is a beautiful tree, with 
handsome feathered leaves, and makes a fine contrast with 
others. It should be planted in the back or the centre of 
the plantation ; it is very hardy. 

Halesia diptera, and Halesia tetraptera, two-winged and 
four-winged Silver Bell, or Snow-drop tree. They are both 
natives of the Southern States, but are perfectly hardy here ; 
our most severe winters do not injure them. The former 
kind flowers in April, and the latter withholds its blossoms 
until May. They are elegant shrubs. 

Hibiscus Syriacus, fl. pleno, the double-flowering Althea 
frutex, of which theie are several varieties ; the double 
white, double red, double red and white, and striped, are 
the most showy ; they begin to flower late in July, and con- 
tinue until Autumn. The single kind, of which there are 
many varieties, are scarcely worth cultivating, the double 



42 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUE8. 

ones being raised quite as easily, and are equally hardy. 
These are indispensable in every plantation. 

Hypericum frutescens, Shrubby Hypericum. There are 
several species of this small but beautiful shrub, all natives 
of the Southern States, but perfectly hardy here. They all 
flower profusely in the summer, and continue for a long time. 
They should be planted in the front row. 

KerriaJaponica, or Corchorus Japonica, yellow Japan Globe 
Flower; although a native of Japan, like many other Ja- 
panese flowers, it is perfectly hardy here. It flowers in the 
greatest profusion at all times, except in the very dead of 
winter, and will grow in almost any soil or situation. 

Kcclreuteria paniculata, Japan Bladder tree, or Kcelroterius. 
This is another hardy shrub from Japan. It has long race- 
mes of flowers, succeeded by a bladder-like fiTiit, and is 
worthy of cultivation in every good collection. 

Ligtistrum viilgarcy virens, large European Privet, a very 
handsome evergreen shrub, flowering profusely in June, and 
producing bunches of black round benies. It bears slip- 
ping well, and is therefore veiy suitable for hedges, or to 
enclose ornamental plantations. It grows quick, and is well 
adapted to our climate ; when planted in a hedge-row, and 
kept clipped. The American Privet makes a beautiful 
hedge, and ought to be in more general use. 

P liiladelphus coronarius, or common Syringa, is very orna- 
mental, producing its sweet-scented flowers early in the 
spring, and in abundance. 

Philadelphiis inodorous, and P. grandiflorus^ Garland Sy- 
ringa, are both natives of the Southern States, but quite hardy 
here. Their flowers are large, and continue for several 
months, in wreaths or garlands. They are well calculated 
for the centre row, and also to hide unsightly objects, and 
have a beautiful effect when mixed with monthly honey- 
suckles, &c. 

Persica, or Amygdalus Persica, ji. rosea pleno, or double 
flowering Peach, is very beautiful in shrubberies. It blos- 

4* 



FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 43 

soms early, and sometimes bears fruit, but it is cultivated 
entirely for its beautiful blossoms. A few trees of the Chi- 
nese double flowering Apple {Pyrus spectabilis) have also a 
beautiful effect. 

Rhus cotinus, Venetian Sumach, Aaron's Beard, sometimes 
called fringe tree, is a fine shrub, calculated for the centre 
of the clump or shrubbery. Its large branches of fringe 
remain all the summer, and give it a curious and striking 
effect. 

Ribes Missouriensis, or Missouri Currant ; there are two 
species of this very ornamental shrub from Missouri, intro- 
duced by Lewis and Clarke ; they are quite hardy, and flower 
profusely from April to June. 

Robinia glutinosa, and Robinia hispida; the former a pretty 
large shrub, producing fine bunches of flowers in great 
abundance throughout the summer ; the latter is a smaller 
shrub ; both of them are, however, worthy of a place in 
large collections. 

Robinia pseudo-acacia, or Yellow Locust Tree.* This is 
superior to any other kind of wood for ship-tunnels, mill- 
cogs, and fence-posts, as well as for various other purposes. 
Its culture is very easy, and may be propagated in gi'eat 
abundance, by sowing the seed in March, April, or May, in 
a bed of good sandy loam, which is its favouiite soil, and 
covering them half an inch deep. Previous to sowing, put 
the seed in a basin, pour on scalding water, and let it stand 
all night ; pick out such seed as are swollen, and plant them 
immediately; next evening repeat the same process with 
such as did not swell the first night, mix the whole and sow 
them ; they will come up in the course of the following 
month numerously ; for no seed grow more freely, notwith- 
standing what some say to the contrary. When the plants 
are a year old, transplant them out of the seed-bed into nur- 
sery rows, four feet distant, and plant from plant one foot. 

* This tree is introduced here, rather on account of its usefulness than 
beauty, though the latter is very considerable. 



44 FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

Having had two or three years' growth in these rows, they 
may be planted successfully in any warm and tolerably rich 
sandy soil. They may also be propagated by suckers, which 
they throw up abundantly, especially if some of the wide- 
extending roots be cut through with an axe. An acre of 
these trees, planted at two feet distant each way, will con- 
tain 10,890; and four feet distant, 2,722 ; and it is said that 
no appropriation of land is more lucrative than that devoted 
to this purpose. The Three-thomed Acacia seed {Gledit- 
schia) should be prepared in the same manner. 

Rosa^ or Roses, a veiy numerous variety of these ; some 
reckon five or six hundred kinds. They are accounted the 
most beautiful of Flora's productions. Perhaps a handsome 
collection might be made out of about fifty of the best sorts, 
vv^hich, by taking such quantity, I suppose might be obtained 
at about fifty cents each, under name ; and generally, a fine 
collection uimamed at half that amount. No good garden 
or shrubbery should be without them. 

Sorbets aucuparia, Mountain Ash, or Roan tree. This is a 
very beautiful shrub of the larger size ; the leaves are orna- 
mental ; the flowers and fruit, which are produced in large 
bunches, are beautiful ; the fruit remains till late in the au- 
tumn. It is a native of Europe. 

Sorlnis Canadensis. This is a native of our Northern 
frontiers and mountains, but it does not grow so large as the 
former ; the benies are smaller and red, the former larger 
and of an orange colour ; but otherwise much resembles it. 

Spartium junceum, Geniisttty etc. Two or three species of 
Broom, producing numerous bunches of yellow flowers in 
May and June ; the Genista^ or Spanish Broom, which has 
white flowers, is also very pretty, but not quite so hardy as 
the former. 

Symphoria racemosa, or Snow-berry, sometimes called St. 
Peter's Wort, a pretty little shrub ; the bunches of wax- 
like white berries, which it produces during the whole sum- 
mer, give it a beautiful appearance. 



CLIMBING ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 45 

Syringa vulgaris^ or common Lilac, blossoming in May, is 
well known to all, and needs no comment. The while 
variety is not quite so common. They are only used for 
outside plantings, as they sucker very freely, and soon make 
themselves common. 

Syringa Persica, or Persian Lilac, is a delicate low shrub, 
the flowers very abundant, and the leaves small and delicate. 
There are two varieties of the Persian Lilac ; the white 
flowering, and the blue or purple flowering. 

The Chinese cut-leaved Lilac is very curious ; the leaves 
are cut like Parsley, the flowers growing in longer racemes 
than the former. 

Siberian, or large Persian Lilac. The bunches of flowers 
are very large, and continue in season a long time after the 
common Lilac. 

Tamarix Gallica, or French Tamarix, and the Tamarix 
Germanica, German Tamarix, are two pretty shrubs ; the 
leaves and branches are small and slender, producing quan- 
tities of beautiful flowers, which form a very striking contrast 
to the other parts of the shrubbery. 

Viburnum opuhis, or Guelder Rose, otherwise called Snow- 
ball, is a very showy shrub, producing large balls of snow- 
white flowers in May, and is indispensably necessary to every 
shrubbery. 

Vitex agnus castus, or Chaste Tree, a pretty and singular 
shrub, flowering the most part of the summer. 



CLIMBING PLANTS. 

Ampelo'psis hederacea. This plant, on account of the 
largeness of its leaves and rapidity of its growth, is well 
adapted for covering walls. There are several species, all 
resembling the vine in habit and flower. 

Aristolochia sipho, Birthwort, or Dutchman's Pipe. A 
very curious blooming plant, with extraordinarily large foli- 



46 CLIMBING ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

age, well calculated for an arbour; affording a dense and 
cooling shade. 

Atragene alpina. A free-growing deciduous shrub, with 
small pinnated foliage, and large blush-coloured flowers, 
which continue from May to July. 

Bignonia crucigeva is a desirable evergreen, being of a 
luxuriant growth. It will cover in a few years an area of 
fifty feet, and bloom from May to August ; colour orange. 

Bignonia radicans, or Trumpet Creeper, produces large 
bunches of red trumpet-shaped flowers in July and August. 
Bignonia grandifiora, is much like the former in habit 
and appearance, but the flowers are much larger. It is said 
to be a native of China, and the former a native of this 
country. They are both perfectly hardy, and will climb up 
brick work or wooden fences, without any assistance. 

Clematis, or Virgin's Bower. There are several species, 
some of them tender, or not sufficiently hardy for our severe 
vdnters, without protection. The Clematis azurea, hicolor, 
and flama, are splendid varieties. The Clematis Virginica, 
Viorna, Viticelli, and Vitalba, are perfectly hardy, and blos- 
som throughout the summer. 

Glycine Sinensis, or Wistaria Sinensis, is a handsome Chi- 
nese Creeper of recent introduction from China, and is not 
yet common in our nurseries. It is a beautiful vine, running 
to a gi-eat height, and loaded with long racemes of purple 
flowers throughout the summer. 

Glycine frutescens, or Wistaria frutescens. This beautiful 
brother of the Chinese kind is a native of our Southern 
States, grows much in the same way as the others, and is, 
perhaps, not inferior. Although this fine creeper has been 
long known in England, we have not heard much about it 
by English writers ; the conclusion seems to be, that it does 
not flower well in England. In fact none of our Southern 
plants do well in that country, while those from China do 
very well ; here, however, it is quite the reverse. I have 
the Chinese Wistaria Sinensis, from fifteen to twenty feet high, 



CLIMBING ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 47 

and the American Wistaria about the same height. The 
Chinese does not look so vigorous and green as his American 
brother. The American VTistaria should be planted in every 
garden with other creepers, or to run up the trees in shrub- 
beries, according to its natural habit. 

Hedra Helix, Irish Ivy, is a desirable evergreen for cover- 
ing naked walls, or any other unsightly object. The leaves 
are of a lively green, and from three to five angled. There 
are several varieties of it, all calculated for growing in con- 
fined, shady situations, where plants in general will not thrive. 

Jasminum ojjicinale, Garden Jasmine. This delicious 
climbing shrub has from time immemorial been common in 
Europe for covering arbours. Its delicate white fragrant 
flowers render it very desirable ; but it is rather tender for 
our Northern winters, unless well protected. In the South- 
ern States, this plant, and also the yellow Jasmine, [revohi- 
hem,) grow luxuriantly and bloom profusely, and even Jias- 
minum grandiflora will endure the winters of South Caro- 
lina and Georgia. 

Lonicera, comprehending all the fine sweet-scented honey- 
suckles. Of the Italian kinds, the monthly honeysuckle is 
decidedly superior, continuing to flower all through the sum- 
mer, until late in autumn, and is very fragrant. Some of 
the other European kinds may be occasionally introduced 
into large shrubberies. There is a white honeysuckle, lately 
introduced from France, denominated Hedysarum coronarium^ 
which is in great repute. Two or three American kinds 
deserve particular notice. 

Lonicera sempervirens, or Coral Trumpet, monthly honey- 
suckle, is extremely beautiful, flowering the whole of the 
summer, with its thousands of scarlet bunches ; it is, how- 
ever, destitute of scent. 

Lonicera Fraseri, also an American ; the flowers are like 
the other kind in almost every particular except colour, diis 
being a bright yellow. 

Lonicera pubescens, or Caprifolitim puhescens, a large and 



48 CLIMBING ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

beautiful honeysuckle from the Northwest coast ; the flow- 
ers are large, and of a bright copper colour, inclining to 
orange. They are all perfectly hardy. 

Lonicera flexuosa, Chinese Honeysuckle, of late introduc- 
tion ; it is perfectly hardy, withstanding our most severe 
frosts without the least injury ; it is a very sweet-scented 
honeysuckle, grows rapidly, and to an immense height. It 
flowers in pairs and threes all up the branches, covering the 
whole plant completely with flowers. It blossoms in spring 
and autumn, and is a very valuable acquisition to our gar- 
dens and shrubbenes. 

Lonicera Jcponica, or Japan Honeysuckle. This bears 
flowers in great profusion, which are white, afterward be- 
coming of a light yellow. It is not so hardy as the Chinese, 
and requires a little protection in the winter. 

Passiflora, or Passion Vine. There are several hardy 
species, but the best is the Passifiora incarnata; this, 
although it dies to the ground every winter, will, during the 
summer, gi-ow from twenty to thirty feet, and yield abun- 
dance of beautiful purple flowers. 

Periplaca groeca, or Silk Vine. A prolific climber, wood 
slender, twining and elastic, leaves smooth, ovate, lanceolate. 
Established plants will grow thirty or forty feet in one sea- 
son, and yield flowers in clusters, of a brownish yellow 
colour, from May to July. '^ 

I shall only add to the above, the running kind of Roses ; 
although there are many other things which might be men- 
tioned. 

Rosa multiflora^ from China, is pretty well known, pro- 
ducing thousands of small double red roses in bunches. It 
requires a sheltered situation from some of our keen north- 
westers. Rosa muUijiora alba, from the same country, is of 
late importation, but as it increases readily, may be obtained 
at about the same price as the former ; the bunches of flow- 
ers are white. Rosa GrevilUa, a running rose, also from 
China, the flowers of various colours. Rosa ruhij'olia, Rasp- 



PROPAGATION OP ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 49 

berry-leaved Rose, from our Northern frontiers, and extend- 
ing over the Western country ; although a single flowering 
rose, it produces large bunches of flowers, which are difler- 
ently coloured on the same bunch, exactly like the former 
China kind, and is another instance of the similarity of the 
native Chinese plants to those of our country. 

Rosa canina, ji. pleno, English double Dog Rose, is a very 
pretty little double rose, and will run to a great height, 
Rosa Banksii, Lady Banks's double white China running 
Rose ; it runs up and spreads much ; it may be easily known 
fi'om othewrs of the running roses, by its being entirely desti- 
tute of prickles. Rosa JS^oisette, and Champney's, are said 
to have been raised from China seed in Carolina ; they are 
not strictly running roses, but as they grow tall, are fine 
ornaments for the shrubbery, flowering during the whole of 
the summer and autumn, in large clusters. The Maderia 
Rose, or double white cluster, musk, flowers throughout the 
summer and autumn months, and is therefore well adapted 
for the shrubbery. Rosa Cherokensis, called the Nonde- 
script, or Georgia Rose ; the flowers are very large, being 
white, with yellow centre. This is a running rose, growing 
very high around trees, &c. 

Rosa ruhiginosa, or Sweetbriar, is too well known-*^ need 
description. 



PROPAGATION OF FLOWERING SHRUBS. 

Flowering shrubs are variously propagated by slips, cut- 
tings, layers, suckers, buds, or scions ; and these may be 
thus defined : 

1. Slips are simply small branches, slipped down from 
the side of a large branch, or from the main stem. These 
should be taken from the parent plants carefully, so as to 
leave an eye or heel at the lower or butt end. 

5 



50 PROPAGATION OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

2. Cuttings should be made from shoots or stalks of a 
prior year's growth ; and such should be selected as are well 
ripened, having their joints not far apart : they may be cut 
so as to have three or four joints in each cutting. In some 
species of succulent plants, the joints being near together, 
cuttings need not be more than from four to six inches long ; 
but shrubby plants in general will admit of their being from 
ten to twelve inches. 

3. Layers differ from cuttings in nothing, except that 
they strike root into the soil, while yet adhering to the parent 
plant. 

4. Suckers are in reality young plants, connected to the 
parent at the root, which should be carefully separated in 
spring or autumn, and transplanted in the same manner as 
plants raised by any other method ; either in a nurseiy-bed, 
shrubbery, or flower-border. 

5. Scions are of two sorts ; scions properly so called, and 
buds. A scion is a cutting, or portion of a plant, which is 
caused to grow upon another plant, from which it extracts 
fluid for the nourishment of its leaf buds ; these thus fed, 
gradually grow upward into branches, and send woody mat- 
ter downward, so as to become connected with the stock 
grafted on. 

The business of planting slips, cuttings, &c., of the tender 
kinds into nursery pots, and the hardy kinds into borders, is 
generally performed in spring and autumn ; there are, how- 
ever, some exceptions to this rule, which will be explained 
hereafter. [See Calendar and Index.] 

For the purpose of raising hardy flowering shrubs by 
slips or cuttings, let a border be prepared in a shaded and 
sheltered situation, by manuring and deep digging. Pro- 
^^de plants about a foot long, and insert them into the gi'ound 
full one-third of their length ; the rows may be about two 
feet apart, and the plants nine inches from each other in the 
rows. Press the ground around the stems, and rake it 
smooth. The after management of nursery beds made in 



"propagation op ornamental shrubs. 51 

spring, is to keep them watered in dry weather, hoe them 
occasionally, and by autumn the plants will be rooted. 

In cold climates, plantations made in autumn should be 
protected by a covering of leaves, straw, or litter, merely 
sufficient to screen the plants from wind and the sun's rays 
in time of freezing, the heat of the sun being more destruc- 
tive to vegetation in winter than the cold weather. 

To increase flowering shrubs, rose bushes, or any other 
plants, by layers, dig the ground about the plants to be ope- 
rated on to a good depth ; then with a sharp knife cut be- 
tween two joints half through the stalk or branch on the 
under part, turn the edge of the knife upward and make a 
slit, caiTying it past the first joint half way to the next 
above ; make a hollow in the ground, and insert the cut part 
from one to three inches deep, according to the nature of 
the plant operated on, keeping the branch perpendicular, 
and the slit open. Each layer should be pegged down with 
a hooked stick, made from small branches of trees, to keep 
it in its proper position, as well as to prevent the cut part 
from uniting whence the roots form for the young plants. 

Budding, grafting, and inarching are often practised on 
shrubs, with a view to perpetuate improved varieties. Bud- 
ding may be performed on roses of different descriptions, as 
the White Moss, Unique, Tuscany, and other fine varieties, 
upon such wild kinds as are of a strong habit. The best 
time for performing the operation is toward the end of July 
or early in August, as the buds are then generally matured 
BO that the bark parts freely from the wood, which is essen- 
tial to the successful accomplishment of the business. 

Grafting is generally performed in the spring. There are 
many methods practised on trees, as cleft grafting, whip 
grafting, saddle grafting, side grafting, root grafting, inarch- 
ing or grafting by approach, &c., which methods are all fully 
explained imder the head of " Budding and Grafting," in 
the fruit department. I shall, however, here present a short 
view of the mode best adapted for shrubs. 



52 PROPAGATION OP ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 

Scallop budding is perfonned by cutting from a smeJl 
stock a thin narrow scallop of wood, about an inch in len^h, 
and taking from the chosen twig a thin scallop of wood of 
the same dimensions; this is instantly applied, and fitted 
perfectly at top and bottom, and as nearly as possible on its 
sides, and firmly bound with bass matting. This may be 
performed in spring, and if it fails, it may be repeated in the 
month of July. The French practise this mode on Roses. 

The most simple method of grafting is, to cut off the stock 
in a wedge-like manner; then prepare a graft having three 
or four eyes ; proceed to cut a slit in it upward, and thrust 
it on the stock, taking care to join the bark of each together ; 
tie them firmly together with bass, and immediately cover 
the grafted part with clay and horse dung mixed ; which being 
well prepared, should be closed securely round the graft in 
an oval form. 

Inarching, or grafting by approach, may be performed as 
follows : The shrubs to be grafted must be growing very 
near to those which are to furnish the grafts ; a branch of 
each must then be prepared by making a long sloping cut 
nearly to its centre ; the two must be brought together, and 
secured by a bandage of matting, so that the bark may meet 
as nearly as possible. The graft may then be covered with 
clay composition ; and when a complete union has taken 
place, the plants may be separated with a shaip knife, by 
cutting off below the junction. 

As the above directions are applicable to the propagation 
and management of green-house, tender, and half-hardy 
plants, as well as to hardy shrubs and vines, it may be ne- 
cessary here to remind the reader, that delicate roses and 
half-hardy woody plants left out during the winter, should be 
protected either by bending down the brandies and covering 
thera with soil, or by tying them up to stakes, and binding 
straw snugly around them. At the same time throw some 
dung on the gi'ound about the roots ; the longest of which 
may be raked off on the approach of spring, and the shortest 



PROPAGATION OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 53 

forked in, so as to manure the plants, and thus give vigour 
to tlieir rising shoots. 

Deciduous shrubs may be transplanted at any time after 
they lose their leaves, and before the buds begin to expand 
in spring, provided the ground can be brought into good 
condition to receive them ; the holes should be dug capacious 
enough to hold the roots without cramping them, and some 
earth, well pulverized, must be thrown equally among the 
fibres of the roots, which should be well shaken, and the 
earth trodden down around the plants, until brought to the 
level required. Evergreens should be removed carefully 
with a ball of earth connected with their roots, and some 
good mould should be provided to fill in with. 

The spring pruning of shrubs and vines should be attended 
to before the buds begin to rise ; say March in the Northern, 
and January in the Southern States. In performing this 
business, use a sharp knife, in order that all amputations and 
wounds be cut and pared smooth, and in a slanting manner. 
Divest the plants of all dead wood, superfluous branches, 
and those which cross each other. Regulate the plantation 
in such manner, that the natural form and habit of each 
plant may be retained as much as possible, and train the 
branches so that the sun can have free access to every part ; 
bearing in mind the hints thrown out in the Introduction to 
our Catalogue. Some shrubs and vines will need a summer 
pruning, merely to thin out young shoots, superfluous wood, 
&c., and to train straggling branches. 



64 



BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



The following article is submitted, as being well calcu- 
lated to afford amateurs mental recreation while engaged 
in rural pursuits ; and it is presumed that the practical gar- 
dener will not view the insertion of this article as a digres- 
sion, as it exhibits the beauty and order of the flower tribe 
in propitious climates, or when cultivated at the proper sea- 
son, in a truly appropriate and amusing light. 

APRIL. 
" Descend, sweet April, from yon watery bow, 
And liberal strew the ground with budding flowers. 
With leafless Crocus, leaf- veiled Violet, 
Auricula, with powdered cup. Primrose 
That loves to lurk below the Hawthorn shade." 

It is generally admitted that the month of April gives the 
most perfect image of spring ; for its vicissitudes of warm 
gleams of sunshine and gentle showers, have the most powerful 
effect in hastening the universal springing of the vegetable 
tribes, from whence the season derives its appellation. Next 
comes the favourite month of the year, in poetical description, 

MAY. 
** For thee, sweet month, the groves green liv'ries wear ; 
If not the first, the fairest in the year ; 
Thou dost afford us many pleasant hours, 
While Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers." 

The pious Hervey, in his Meditations on the Flower Gar- 
den, has furnished us many sublime ideas respecting the order, 
variety, and beauty of the flower tribe.* It is in vain to 
attempt a catalogue of those amiable gifts. There is an end- 

* Those whahave read Hervey's Meditations on the Flower Garden, will 
discover that the pious author's phraseology, and several of his sublime 
ideas, are interspersed through this article, which, from being blended with 
Other matter, could not be designatecl in the customary w£\y^ 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAT. §^ 

less multiplicity of their characters, yet an invariable order 
in their approaches. Every month, almost every week, has 
its peculiar ornaments ; not servilely copying the works of 
its predecessors, but forming, still forming, and still executing, 
some new design ; so lavish is the fancy, yet so exact is the 
process of Nature. Were all the flower tribe to exhibit 
themselves at one particular season, there would be at once 
a promiscuous throng, and at once a total privation. 

We should scarcely have an opportunity of adverting to 
the dainty qualities of half, and must soon lose the agreeable 
company of them all. But now, since every species has a 
separate post to occupy, and a distinct interval for appearing, 
we can take a leisurely and minute survey of each succeed- 
ing set. We can view and review their forms, enter into a 
more intimate acquaintance with their charming accomplish- 
ments, and receive all those pleasing sensations which they 
are calculated to yield. 

Before the trees have ventured to unfold their leaves, and 
while the icicles are pendant on our houses, the Snow-drop 
breaks her way through the frozen soil, fearless of danger. 
Next peeps out the Crocus, but cautiously and with an air 
of timidity. She shuns the howling blasts, and cleaves 
closely to her humble situation. Nor is the Violet last in the 
shining embassy, which, with all the embellishments that 
would grace a royal garden, condescends to line our borders, 
and bloom at the feet of briars. Freely she distributes the 
bounty of her emissive sweets, while herself retires from 
sight, seeking rather to administer pleasure than to win admi- 
ration. Emblem, expressive emblem, of those modest virtues 
which delight to bloom in obscurity. There are several kinds 
of Violets, but the fragrant, both blue and white, are the 
earliest. Shakspeare compares an exquisitely sweet strain 
of music to the delicious scent of this flower ; 



• Oh ! it came o'er my ear like the sweet South, 
That breathes upon a bank of Violets, 
Stealing and giving odour." 



50 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 

The pious HeiTey, in his admonitions to those who indulge 
in sloth, has thrown out the following subUme ideas : What 
sweets are those which so agreeably salute my nostrils 1 
They are the breath of the flowers, the incense of the gar- 
dens. How hberally does the Jasmine dispense her odorife- 
rous riches ! How deliciously has the Woodbine embalmed 
this morning walk ! The air is all perfume. And is not 
this another most engaging argument to forsake the bed of 
sloth ] Who would be involved in senseless slumbers, while 
so many breathing sweets invite him to a feast of fragrancy, 
especially considering that the advancing day will exhale the 
volatile dainties 1 A fugitive treat they are, prepared only 
for the wakeful and industrious. Whereas, when the slug- 
gard lifts his heavy eyes, the flowers will droop, their fine 
sweets be dissipated, and instead of this refreshing humidity, 
the air vdll become a kind of liquid fire. 

With this very motive, heightened by a representation of 
the most charming pieces of morning scenery, the parent of 
mankind awakes his lovely consort. There is such a deli- 
cacy in the choice, and so much life in the description of 
these rural images, that I cannot excuse myself without 
repeating the whole passage. Whisper it, some friendly 
genius, in the ear of every one, who is now sunk in sleep, 
and lost to all these refined gratifications ! 

" Awake ! the morning shines, and the fresh field 
Calls you : ye lose the prime, to mark how spring 
The tended plants, how blows the Citron grove ; 
What drops the Myrrh, and what the balmy Reed j 
How Nature paints her colours; how the bee 
Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweets." 

How delightful is this fragrance ! It is distributed in the 
nicest proportion ; neither so strong as to oppress the organs, 
nor so faint as to elude them. We are soon cloyed at a 
sumptuous banquet ; but this pleasure never loses its poig- 
nancy, never palls the appetite. Here luxury itself is inno- 
cence; or rather, in this case, indulgence is incapable of ex- 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 57 

cess. This balmy entertainment not only regales the sense, 

but cheers the very soul ; and, instead of clogging, elates its 

powers. 

" The soft green grass is growing 
• O'er meadow and o'er dale ; 
The silv'ry founts are flowing 

Upon the verdant vale : 
The pale Snow-drop is springing 

To greet the glowing sun ; 
The Primrose sweet is flinging 

Perfume the fieMs along ; 
The trees are in their blossom, 

The birds are in their song; 
As Spring upon the bosom 

Of Nature's borne along. 

*' So the dawn of human life 

Dotli green and verdant spring : 

It doth little ween the strife — 

Like the Snow-drop it is fair, 
And like the Primrose sweet, 

But its innocence can't scare 
The blight from its retreat." 

Our subject is so enchanting, that we had inadvertently 
wandered from the path we first entered. We now retrace 
our steps, and take a glance at surrounding objects. The 
fields look green with the springing grass. See the Daffodil 
how it spreads itself to the wind ! The leaves of Honey- 
suckles begin to expand, the Lilacs, or Syringas, of various 
hues, unfold their buds. The Almond exhibits its rosy clus- 
ters, and the Corchorus its golden balls. Many of the low- 
lier plants exhibit their yellow and purple colours, and the 
buds of Lilies, and other Perennial plants, prepare to show 
themselves. If we turn our attention to the orchard, we 
behold the Apricots, Nectarines, and Peaches, lead the way 
in blossoming, which are followed by the Cherry and the Plum. 
These form a most agreeable spectacle, as well on account 
of their beauty as of the promise they give of future bene- 
fits. It is, however, an anxious time for the possessor, as 
the fairest prospect of a plentiful increase is often blighted. 



58 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND STAY. 

Shakspeare draws a pathetic comparison from this circum- 
stance, of the delusive nature of human expectations : 

" This is the state of man : to-day he puts forth 
The tender leaves of hope j to-morrow blossoms. 
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him; 
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 
And nips his root." 

But now we return to the garden. Before we have time 
to explore Nature's treasures, many disappear ; among these 
are the humble Daisy, which shrinks from the intense heat, 
and the several varieties of Primulas, or early spring flowers. 
The various grades of Polyanthus deserve a close inspection ; 
these, for a while, exhibit their sparkHng beauties, but, alas ! 
soon disappear. Scarcely have we sustained this loss, but 
in comes the Auracula, and more than retrieves it. Arrayed 
she comes in a splendid variety of amiable forms, wdth an 
eye of ciystal, and garments of the most glossy satin. A 
very distinguished procession this ! the favourite care of the 
florist ; but these also soon disappear. Who could forbear 
grieving at their departure, did not the various sorts of bulb- 
ous flowers burst their bands asunder, or rather expand so 
as to exhibit their fragrance and beauty. 

"Fair-handed Spring 
Throws cut the Snow-drop and the Crocus first, 
The Daisy, I^rimrose, Violet darkly blue, 
And Polyanthus with unnumbered dyes. 
Then comes the Auracula, enriched with shining meal,, 
O'er all their velvet leaves.'* 

While we reluctantly dispense with the sweet perfumes 
of the Hyacinth and Narcissus, we behold the Tulips begin 
to raise themselves on their fine wands or stately stalks. They 
flush the parterre with one of the gayest dresses that bloom- 
ing Nature wears. Here one may behold the innocent wan- 
tonness of beauty. Here she indulges a thousand freaks, and 
sports herself in the most charming diversity of colours. In 
a grove of Tulips, or a bed of Pinks, one perceives a diflcT' 



TH^ BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 50 

ence In almost every individual. Scarcely any two are turned 
and tinted exactly alike. What colours, what colours are 
here ! these so nobly bold, and those so delicately languid ! 
What a glow is enkindled in some ! what a gloss shines 
upon others ! With what a masterly skill is every one of the 
varying tints disposed ! Here they seem to be thrown on with 
an easy dash of security and freedom ; there they are adjusted 
by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. Those colours 
which form the ground are always so judiciously chosen, as 
to heighten the lustre of the superadded figures ; while the 
verdure of the impalement, or shadings of the foliage, im- 
part new liveliness to the whole. Fine, inimitably fine, is 
the texture of the web on which these shining treasures are 
displayed. What are the labours of the Persian looms; 
what all the gay attire which the shuttle or the needle can 
furnish, compared with Nature's works 1 One cannot for- 
bear reflection in this place, on the too prevailing humour of 
being fond and ostentatious of dress. What an abject and 
mistaken ambition is this ! How unworthy the dignity of 
man, and the wisdom of rational beings ! Especially since 
these little productions of the earth have indisputably the 
pre-eminence in such outward embellishments. 

*' Bright Tulips, we do know. 
Ye had your coming hither^ 
And fading time doth show, 
That ye must quickly wither. 

"Your sisterhood may stay, 
And smile here for an hour, 
But ye must quickly die away, 
E'en as the meanest flower, 

" Coroe, virgins, then, and see 

Your frailties, and bemoan ye ; 
For lost like these — 'twill be 
As time had never known ye." 

But let us not forget the fragrant, the very fragrant Wall 
and Gilyflowers ; some of these regale us with their per- 



60 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAT. 

fumes through various vicissitudes and alternations of the 
season, w^hile others make a transient visit only. 

"I love thee, lone and pensive flower, 

Because thou dost not flaunt thy bloom 
In pleasure's gay and garnish'd bower. 

Or luxury's proud banquet room ; 
But on the silent, mouldering wall 

Thy clinging leaves a fragrance shed, 
Or give to the deserted hall, 

A relic of its glories fled. 

" These wreaths, in vivid freshness bright, 

Methinks the fluttering herd portray. 
Who bask on fortune's golden light. 

And wanton in her joyous way ; 
But thou art like that gentle love, 

Which blooms when friends and fame havepass'd, 
Towers the dark wreck of hope above, 

And smiles through ruin to the last." 

In favoured climates arises the Anemone, encircled at 
the bottom with a spreading robe, and rounded at the top 
into a beautiful dome. In its loosely-flowing mantle, you 
may observe a noble negligence ; in its gently-bending tufts, 
the nicest symmetry. This may be termed the fine gentle- 
man of the garden, because it seems to possess the means of 
uniting simplicity and refinement, of reconciling art and ease. 
The same month has the merit of producing the Ranunculus. 
All bold and graceful, it expands the riches of its foHage, and 
acquires by degrees the lovliest enamel in the world. As 
persons of intrinsic worth disdain the superficial arts of recom- 
mendation practised by fops, so this lordly flower scorns to 
borrow any of its excellencies from powders and essences. 
It needs no such attractions to render it the darling of the 
cuiious, being sufficiently engaging from the elegance of its 
figure, the radiant variety of its tinges, and a certain superior 
dignity of aspect. 

JUNE. 
" Now have young April, and the blue-eyed May, 
Vanished awhile, and lo! the glorious June 
(While Nature ripens in his burning noon) 
Comes like a young inheritor." 



THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. CI 

I had intended to confine our meditations to the beauties 
of April and May, but Nature seems to improve in her opera- 
tions. Her latest strokes are the most masterly. To crown 
the collection, she introduces the Carnation, which captivates 
our eyes with a noble spread of graces, and charms another 
sense with a profusion of exquisite odours. This single flower 
has centred in itself the peifection of all the preceding. The 
moment it appears, it so commands our attentiorf, that we 
scarcely regret the absence of the rest. 

" Maternal Flora, with benignant hand. 
Her flowers profusely scatters o'er the land ; 
These deck the valleys with unnumbered hues, 
And far around their pregnant swee^ diffuse. 
The broad Carnations, gay and spotted Pinks, 
Are showered profuse along the rivers' brinks." 

The field we have entered is so extensive and so enchant- 
ing, that we cannot extricate ourselves without taking a cur- 
sory glance at the airs and habits, the attitude and lineaments, 
of each distinct class. See the Paeonia of China, splendid and 
beautifully grand ! View the charming Rose, delicate and 
languishingly fair ! and while you inhale its balmy sweetness, 
you will be constrained to admire it, notwithstanding its thorny 
appendages. 

"Rose! thou art the sweetest flower 
That ever drank the amber shower ; 
Rose! thou art the fondest child 
Of dimpled Spring ! the wood nymph wild ! 
Resplendant Rose ! the flower of flowers, 
Whose breath perfumes Olympus' bowers; 
Whose virgin blush, of chasten'd dye. 
Enchants so much our mental eye." 

Behold all the pomp and glory of the parterre, where Na- 
ture's paint and perfumes do wonders. Some rear their heads 
as with a majestic mein, and overlook, like sovereigns or no- 
bles, the whole paiterre. Others seem more modest in their 
aims, and advance only to the middle stations ; a genius turned 
for heraldry might term them the gentry of the border; while 

6 



^ THE BEAUTIES OP APRIL AND MAY. 

Others, free from all aspiring airs, creep unambitiously on the 
ground, and look like the commonality of the kind. Some 
are intersected with elegant stripes, or studded with radiant 
spots. Some affect to be genteelly powdered, or neatly fringed ; 
while others are plain in their aspect, unaffected in their dress, 
and content to please with a naked simplicity. Some assume 
the monarch's purple ; some look most becoming in the vir- 
gin's white ; but black, doleful black, has no admittance into 
the wardrobe of Spring. The weeds of mourning would be a 
manifest indecorum, when Nature holds a universal festival. 
She would now inspire none but delightful ideas, and there- 
fore always makes her appearance in some amiable suit. Here 
stands a warrior clad with crimson ; there sits a magistrate 
robed in scarlet ; and yonder struts a pretty fellow, that seems 
to have dipped his plumes in the rainbow, and glitters in all 
the gay colours of that resplendent arch. Some rise into a 
curious cut, or fall into a set of beautiful bells. Others spread 
themselves in a swelling tuft, or crowd into a delicious cluster. 
In some the predominant stain softens by the gentlest dimi- 
nutions, till it has even stolen away from itself. The eye is 
amused at the agreeable delusion, and we wonder to find 
ourselves insensibly decoyed into quite a different lustre. In 
others one would think the fine tinges were emulous of pre- 
eminence ; disdaining to mingle, they confront one another 
with the resolution of rivals, determined to dispute the prize 
of beauty ; while each is improved, by the opposition, into the 
highest vivacity of complexion. 

" Mrs. Paeony came in quite late in a heat, 
With the Ice-plant, dew-spangled from forehead to feet ; 
Lobelia, attired like a queen in her pride, 
And Dahlias, with trimmings new furbish'd and dyed. 
And the Blue-bells, and Hare-bells in simple array, 
With all their Scotch cousins from highland and brae. 
Ragged Ladie? and Marigolds clustered together, 
And gossip'd of scandal, the news, and the weather ; 
What dresses were worn at the wedding so fine 
Of sharp Mrs. Thistle and sweet Columbine," 



63 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



These plants exhibit a striking variety of the beauties of 
Nature. It would seelh as if every change she is capable 
of forming, vi^as included in the radiant colours of the Tulip. 
Never was a cup either painted or enamelled with such a 
profusion of tints. Its stripes are so glowing, its contrasts 
so strong, and the arrangement of them both so elegant and 
artful, that it may, with propriety, be denominated the reign- 
ing beauty of the garden in its season. The Hyacinth is. 
also an estimable flower for its blooming complexion, as well 
as for its most agreeable perfume and variety. 

" The Hyacinth, purple, white, and blue, 
Which flung from its bells a sweet peel anew. 
Of music so delicate, soft, intense, 
It was felt like an odour within the sense." 

The Double Dahlia, in its numerous varieties, is incon- 
ceivably splendid. It was only at the latter end of the 
eighteenth century that the first of these, which were single, 
were introduced into Europe from Mexico. 

Double Dahlias of three colours were first known in the 
year 1S02, and since that time the varieties have increased 
so rapidly, that those which a few years ago were considered 
beautiful, are now thrown away to give place to the more 
splendid sorts. I have good authority for stating, that upward 
of twenty thousand seedlings are raised yearly in England, 
only a few of which are introduced into the collections of 
amateurs, to take the place of such old sorts as may from 
time to time be rejected. This is done, in order that none 
but the very choicest may be retained in such collections. 



64 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 

In some gardens in Holland they cultivate, by distict names, 
about eleven hundred varieties of Tulips, thirteen hundred 
of Hyacinths, and six hundred of Ranunculuses and Ane- 
mones, some of w^hich are sold as high as sixty dollars the 
single root. It«is stated in the travels of Mr. Dutens, of his 
having known ten thousand florins, equal to ^4,000, refused 
for a single Hyacinth ; and Dodsley says, in his Annual Regis- 
ter for 1765, that the Dutch of all ranks, from the highest 
to the lowest, during the years from 1634 to 1637 inclusive, 
neglected their business to engage i»»the Tulip trade. Ac- 
cordingly in those days, the Viceroy was sold for 66250, the 
Admiral Lief keens for XiiO, and the Semper Augustus at from 
d£500 to 661,000 each ; and a collection of Tulips was sold by 
the executors of one Wouter Broekholsmentser for «£9,000. 
It is stated that in one city in Holland, in the space of three 
years, they had traded for a million sterling in Tulips. 

As a full catalogue of all the varieties of bulbous and tube- 
rous-rooted plants would occupy a number of pages, without 
affording much general interest, I shall content myself by de- 
voting a short paragraph in describing some of each particular 
species, which will be accompanied with directions for their 
culture, in a brief, and, at the same time, explicit manner. 

It may here be necessary to define the difference between 
bulbous and tuberous roots. Those designated bulbous have 
skins similar to Onions, or the Allium tribe ; and tuberous roots 
imply all such as produce tubers something similar to Potatoes. 

The soil for bulbous and tuberous roots in general should 
be light, and yet capable of retaining moisture ; not such as 
is liable to become bound up by heat, or that, in consequence 
of too large a portion of sand, is likely to become excessively 
hot in summer; but a medium earth between the two ex- 
tremes. As many city gardens do not contain a natural soil 
of any depth, a suitable compost should be provided in such 
cases, which may consist of equal parts of sand, loam, rotten 
manure, mould, &c. 

When ready, the beds may be laid out, from three to four 



BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 65 

feet wide, and they should be raised two or three inches 
above the level of the walks, which will give an ojipoitunity 
for all superfluous moisture to run off. Let the beds thus 
formed be pulverized to the depth of fifteen or eighteen 
inches ; and at the time of planting, let a small quantity of 
beach sand be strewed in the apertures or trenches prepared 
for the roots to grow in, both before and after placing them 
therein, which will prove beneficial. 

A southern exposure, dry and airy, and sheltered from 
the northwest winds, is preferable for most bulbs. But 
Anemones and Ranunculuses should be in some measure 
sheltered from the intense heat of noon. 

Beds of hardy bulbous and tuberous roots should be cov- 
ered on the approach of winter with litter, leaves, straw, or 
such earth as is formed by the decay of leaves, to the depth 
of two or three inches, as it prevents any ill effects which a 
severe season may have on the roots ; but it should be care- 
fully raked off in the spring. 

Bulbous roots in general should be taken up in about a 
month or six weeks after the bloom is exhausted, or when 
the foliage is about half decayed. If fine warm weather, the 
bulbs may be dried on the beds they grow on, by placing them 
in separate rows, being careful not to mix the several varieties. 
To prevent such an accident, labels may be affixed to, or 
placed in the ground opposite each bulb. They will keep 
much better when dried gradually ; to this end, a little dry 
earth may be shaken over them, to screen them from the 
heat of the sun. If it should rain before they get diy, take 
them in, or cover them with boards ; when dry, clear them 
of the fibres and stems, and then put them away in dry sand ; 
or if wrapped in paper, they may be kept in boxes or di*aw- 
ers until the season of planting returns. 

The tender tuberous roots, such a's Dahlias, and the like, 
will have to be taken up before the cold becomes severe. 
As the Dahlia exhibits its flowers in all their splendour until 
nipped by the frost, the roots ought, in the event of a very 

6* 



66 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS* 

sudden attack, to be secured from its blighting effects. They 
are not apt to keep well if taken up before they are ripened ; 
the tops should therefore be cut down as soon as they have 
done flowering, and the ground covered around the roots 
with dung or Utter ; this will enable them to ripen without 
being injured by frost ; and in about a week after being cut 
down, or on the appearance of severe weather, they should 
be dug up and packed in dry sand, and then stowed away in 
a dry place out of the reach of frost. The temperature suited 
to keep green-house plants will preserve them in good order. 
Some people complain of the difficulty of keeping Dahlia 
roots through the winter. I am of opinion that they are 
often killed from being taken up before they are ripe, and 
then put in a confined, damp place ; or are by some, per- 
haps, subjected to the other extreme, and dried to a husk. I 
keep mine on shelves in the green-house, and seldom lose one 
in a hundred. If it be an object with the cultivator to have 
the names perpetuated from year to year, each plant should 
have a small label affixed to the old stalk, by means of small 
brass or copper wire, as twine is very apt to get rotten. 

Cape bulbs, and such tuberous roots as are cultivated in 
pots, on account of their tenderness, should be kept dry after 
the foliage is decayed, until within about a month of their 
period of re-germinating, at which time they should, after 
having been deprived of their surplus offsets, be re-potted 
in good fresh earth. 

There are some descriptions of bulbous and tuberous roots 
that need not be taken up oftener than once in two or three 
years, and then only to deprive them of their young -offsets, 
and to manure the ground. These will be described here- 
after under their different heads. 

In the articles which follow, I have named the preferable 
season for planting the various kinds of bulbous and tuberous 
roots ; but as some bulbs will keep in good condition several 
months, there can be no objection to retaining such out of the 
ground, to suit any particular purpose or convenience. 



67 
DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION 

or 

BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



AMARYLLIS. 

Of this genus of flowering bulbs there are about eighty 
species, and upward of one hundred varieties; they are natives 
of South America, and in Europe are generally kept in the 
hot-house ; some of the varieties are hybrids, produced by 
cultivation ; these succeed very well in the green-house, and 
in this country we frequently have very perfect flowers in 
the borders. A few of the choicest varieties are as follows : 
Amaryllis Aulica, or Crowned Amaryllis, is one of the most 
beautiful ; it produces four flowers, about seven inches in 
diameter, on an erect stem, about two feet and a half high, 
with six petals of green, crimson, and fine transparent red 
colours. 

A. Dallota produces three or four rich scarlet flowers on 
the stem, each about five inches in diameter ; there are two 
or three varieties of this species, all beautiful. 

A. Johnsoniensis. The stem of this variety rises about two 
feet, and exhibits four beautiful scarlet flowers, with a white 
streak in the centre of each petal, each flower about six 
inches diameter. It sometimes produces two stems. 

A. Longifolia, or Crinwn Capense, is perfectly hardy ; it 
flowers in large umbels of a pink colour, inclining to white, 
and is a good garden variety. 

Amaryllis fonnosissima, or Jacobean Lily, produces a flower 

of great beauty ; although a low-priced plant, it throws out 

gracefully its glittering crimson-coloured petals, which have 

a briUiancy almost too intense for the eye to rest upon. 

The A, Lutea produces its bright yellow flowers in October, 



68 ANEMONES AND RANUNCULUSES. 

in the open air ; but the bulb requires a little protection in 
winter, or it may perish. 

The most suitable soil for the Amaryllis is a clean new earth, 
taken from under fresh grass sods, mixed with sand and leaf 
mould; the latter ingredient should form about a third of 
the whole, and the sand about a sixth. Some of the varieties 
may be planted in pots during the month of April, and others 
will do very well in the open ground, if jilanted early in May, 
in a sunny situation. The bulb should not be set more than 
half its depth in the ground ; as, if planted too deep, it will 
not bloom ; the plant deriving its nourishment only from the 
fibres. When the bulbs have done flowering, such as are in 
pots should be watered very sparingly, so that they may be 
perfectly ripened, which will cause them to shoot stronger 
in the ensumg season, and those in the ground should be 
taken up, and preserved in sand or paper. 



ANEMONE AND RANUNCULUS. 

These are medium, or half-hardy roots, producing beau- 
tiful little flowers of various hues, and are highly deserving 
of cultivation. The bulbs should be planted in a fresh, well 
pulverized, loamy soil, enriched with cow dung. If planted 
in the garden, the beds ought not to be raised above one inch 
higher than the alleys, and the surface should be level, as it 
is necessary for the prosperity of these plants, rather to retain 
than to throw off* moisture. The plants will generally sur- 
vive our winters ; but it is always safest to j^lant them in such 
a manner that a temporary frame of boards can be placed 
over them when the weather sets in severe ; and if they are 
to be shaded while in flower, the posts intended for the 
awning may be fixed in the ground at the same time ; these 
will serve to nail the boards to, and thus answer two purposes. 

Anemones and Ranunculuses may be planted during Octo- 
ber or November, in diills two inches deep, and six inches 



CROCUS AND CROWN IMPERIAL. 69 

apart ; the roots should be placed with claws downward, about 
four inches distant from each other, and covered up, leaving 
the bed quite level. The awning need not be erected over 
the beds until they come into bud, which will be early in 
May ; the extreme heat of the American climate is, however, 
unfavourable to the perfect development of their beautiful 
blossoms in ordinary seasons, even when shaded. 



CROCUS. 

These are hardy little bulbs, said to be natives of Swit- 
zerland. There are in all about fifty varieties of this humble, 
yet beautiful plant, embracing a great variety of hues and 
complexions, and their hardiness, and earliness of flower, 
offer a strong motive for their cultivation. The bulbs may 
be planted in October or November, in rows about six inches 
from the edgings ; if in beds, they may be placed in ranks 
of distinct colours, about four inches apart, and from one to 
two deep, which will afford to their admirers considerable 
amusement and gratification, and that at a very early season. 
They are generally in full perfection early in April. 



CROWN IMPERIAL. 

This is a species of the genus Fritillaria, of which there 
are about twenty species and varieties, chiefly natives of 
Persia. These squamose bulbs produce tall, luxuriant stems, 
embellished with green glossy foliage, and flowers of various 
hues ; but there are only a few of the most curious cultivated, 
perhaps on account of their odour, which to some persons 
is disagreeable. They are, however, very hardy, and pro- 
duce singular and showy floweis in April and May, suited 
to make variety in the flower borders, in which they may be 
planted in August and September, from three to four inches 
deep ; they need not be taken up every year as other bulbs, 



70 COLCHICUM, CYCLAMEN, AND DOUBLE DAHLLi. 

and when they are, which may be about every third year, they 
ought not to be retained too long out of the ground before 
they are replanted. 



COLCHICUM. 

This curious little bulb, being planted in the month of 
June, about two inches deep, produces its flowers in Octo- 
ber ; it then dies, without lea\dng any external appearance 
of seed ; they, however, lie buried in the bulb all the winter, 
and in the spring produce a stalk with seed, which get lipe by 
the first of June, just in time to plant for floweiing in the ensu- 
ing autumn. How wonderful are the provisions of Nature ! 



CYCLAMEN. 

There are several species of the Persian Cyclamen which 
are worthy of cultivation in pots ; the varieties Coum and 
Persicum will bloom in a green-house, or warm room, from 
January to April, if planted in good light compost early in 
September. The foliage of these plants is of a dark green 
velvet colour ; and the flowers of the vaiiety Coum are of a 
dark crimson colour ; those of the variety Persicum are of a 
delicate French white, tipped with pink, and their fragrance 
is similar to that of the wild rose. 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 

This may wdth propriety be denominated one of the most 
important perennial tuberous-rooted plants that can be intro- 
duced into a garden, and from the circumstance of its having 
become so fashionable of late years, I have felt anxious to 
furnish in this work a catalogue of all the choicest varieties 
attainable ; I therefore applied for this purpose to Mr. G. C. 
Thorbum, who, from a regular correspondence with connois- 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 71 

seurs, both in England and America, becomes acquainted 
with all the most beautiful and rare varieties ; and he has 
kindly funiished a list and description of about one hundred, 
including the choicest seedlings of the last two years, which 
will be cultivated foi the first time in America, in his garden 
at Astoria, next year ; plants from which will be for sale at 
No. 15, John street. To these I have added about one hun- 
dred and twenty varieties, most of which I have had under 
cultivation in my own garden, and w^hich may be justly 
denominated pre-eminent. 

In making this selection, several superb varieties are 
omitted, not because they are undei-valued, but for the sake 
of brevity, which in a work of this kind must be consulted. 
Those marked thus t are native American varieties. Those 
marked thus * obtained the greatest number of premiums 
at the various Floricultural and Horticultural exhibitions in 
Great Britain, as well as in our own country. There are, 
perhaps, fifty more in this Catalogue not far beneath them, 
but none are marked except those which, from having 
been tested in this climate, can with confidence be recom- 
mended as being free and perfect bloomers. The choicest 
seedlings of last year which have been purchased in England 
at from fifteen shillings to five pounds sterling each, are 
marked thus §. It may be necessary to observe, that many 
of our choice old varieties, as well as several of the new 
ones hereinafter described, have not been offered in compe- 
tition at public exhibitions ; these are, therefore, not to be 
undervalued for want of the star or asterisk, and it is pre- 
sumed that the brief description given of the different shades 
will be sufficient to govern amateurs in their choice. 

As much depends on the climate, soil, and situation in which 
Dahlias are cultivated ; and as the descriptions which follow 
have been given by various persons, in different parts of Eng- 
land, as well as America, whose soils and situations are dif- 
ferent, the height of these plants may vary a foot or more from 
our estimate, when planted in one uniform soil and situation. 



72 



CATALOGUE OF DOUBLE DAHLIAS. 



t Denotes American Seedlings. 



• Free Bloomers. 



§ New Varieties. 



§ Admirable Baudain, white, tipped with red, .... 
Admirable, Spary^s, bright rose, superb flower, - - - - 
§ Admiral Stopford, Trtntfitld^s, extra dark flower, cupped petals, 
•Adventure, Toward'' s, extra fine purple, - - - - - 
Agamemnon, WidnaWs, rich ruby crimson, - . - . 
Alexander, Miller^s, bright orange buff, - - - - - 
Alba Purpurea, Young^s, white, edged with purple, - - - 
§Alba Purpurea Superba, Bates's, dark purple, edged with white, 
§ America. Drummond^s fine purple, . - . . . 

Andrew Hofer, Holmes's, maroon, splendid flower, - - - 
Antiope, Case's beautiful lilac, fine shape, - . - - 

§Arethusa, Unio7i's, blush white, veined with pink, - - - 
*Argo, WidnaWs, bright yellow, beautiful form, - - . 

*Ariel, Inwood's, white, edged with lilac, - - - - - 
§ Array, Walter's, dark crimson, fine flower, - - - . 
Attila, Whale's, shaded rose and lilac, fine form, - - - 

*Aurora, Maule's, white, striped with crimson, - - - 

*Bannard's Rival, supurb dark crimson, - - - - - 
§ Bachelor, clear red, fine form, and abundant bloomer, 
•Beauty of England, Girling's, white, margined with crimson, - 
tBeauty of Philadelphia, Schmitz's, yellow, tip'd with rose, good shape 
Beauty of the Plain, Spary's, white, deeply margined with purple, 
§ Beauty of Wakefield, Barret's, white, edged with light purple, 

fine form, good habit, and constant, - - 

§ Bedford Surprise, Sheppard's, rosy crimson, splendid form, 
+ Black Prince, Ketit's, extra dark maroon, 
Blandina, delicate white, fine form, - - - - 
Bloomsbury, Lee's, fine vivid scarlet, large, 
Bloomsbury, Pamplin's, large buff, fine form, 
§ Bridal Ring, white and lavender, - - . - 
§ Bride, Fawcett's, blush, veined and tipped with rose, 
Bridemaid, Brown's, white, edged with purple, - 
^British Queen, shaded bronze, fine form, 
•Burnham Hero, Church's, superb deep crimson, 
^'Calliope, extra fine ruby scarlet, - - - - 
^v^audidate, Silverlock's, plum colour, fine form, 
Captain Boldero, blush, tipped with purple, 
•Charles XII., Miller's, plum colour, tipped with white, 
§ Chancellor, Whale's, light rosy crimson, large flower, 
Clara, Seaman's, extra fine white, - . - - 
Cleopatra, extra fine white, - . - - - 
tColumbus, Schmitz's, fine rosy crimson, cupped petals, 
Compte de Paris, fine Canary yellow, - - . 

Conqueror of Europe, Elphin stone's, blush, shaded with pink. 
Conqueror of the World, Stein's, yellow, tipped with crimson, 



et high. 

4 to 5 
to 5 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 6 

5 to 6 
5 to 6 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 

4 to 5 

3 to 4 

5 to 6 

4 to 5 

3 to 4 

4 to 5 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
3 to 4 

3 to 4 

4 to 5 
4 to 5 



to 4 
to 4 
to 4 
to. 5 
to" 6 
to 5 
to 4 
to 4 
3 to 4 
3 to 4 

3 to 4 
5 to 6 
5 to 6 

4 to 5 
4 to 5 
b to 6 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 



DAHLIA CATALOGUE. 



73 



^ Denotes American Seedling. 



Free Bloomera. 



i New Varieties 



Conqueror, Springalfs, very dark maroon, - - - 

Constancy, Keyne's, shaded purple, fine flower, - - . 
*Conservative, Seaman's, bright ruby scarlet, - - - 
Conservative, Low's, light purple, fine form, - - - 
•Constantia, Cox's, white, beautifully shaded with pink, 
^Coronation, Harrison's, crimson, beautifully shaded with purple. 
Coronet, superb dark puce, large flower, - - . - 
Countess of Liverpool, beautiful shaped scarlet, 
Danecroft Rival, Girling's, bright scarlet, showy flower, 
Diana, Elphinstone's, beautiful crimson and yellow, 
Dennissii, fine ruby purple, - - - . , 

♦Dowager Lady Cooper, delicate peach blossom, cupped petals, 
♦Duchess of Richmond, Epwler's, fine orange and pink, 
Duke of Bedford, Dennises, large crimson maroon, 
•Duke of Cornwall, Law's, ruby rose, high centre, 
§Duke of Richmond, Fowler's, bronzy pink, - - - 
§Duke of Wellington, Smith' s,T\ch scarlet crimson, high centre, cup 
Eclipse, Catleugh's, vermillion rose, superb flower, - 
Elizabeth, Trentfield's, white, edged with purple, 
§EIeame de Beaucour, fine rosy blush, - - - . 
4 Emperor of China, dark purple, superb form, 
•Empress, Dennis's yellow, edged with purple, 
•Etonia, Keeler's, extra fine salmon colour, cupped petals, 
§ Euclid, Ward's, lilac purple, fine form, ... 

Eva, Foster's, blush white, cupped petals, - - . 

•Exemplar, WidnaU's, extra fine white, - - . 

•Exquisite, Girling's, superb salmon colour, cupped petals, 
Fanny Keynes, Keynes's, beautifully shaded rose, 
Fire Ball, Squibbs's, vivid scarlet, - - - - - 
Fanny, Hieskell's, white, tipped with lilac, . - - 

Fisherton Champion, Squibbs's, fine dark crimson, 
Frances, Jones's, white, margined with purple, 
•Formosa, Girling's, fine buff, tipped with rose, 
Gaine's Primrose, fine delicate primrose, - . - 

§Garrick, dark puce, splendid form, - - - - 

§Gem, Smith's, white, tipped with bright crimson, good form, 
^General Houston, Briell's, light purple, good habit, 
§Gipsy Maid. Girling's, dark crimson, edged with purple, 
•Glory, Douglass's, extra large bright scarlet, 
t Golden Fleece, Neale's, fine golden yellow, ... 
Glory of Plymouth, Rendle's, white, tipped with purple, 
•Grace Darling, Dodd's, rosy salmon, fine formed flower, 
•Grandis, extra large ruby purple, - - _ _ 

Grand Turk, King's, very dark, nearly black, and good form, 
•Grand Tournament, superb blush, fine formed flower, 
§Great Western, Bragg's, light purple, mottled with crimson, 
^Grenadier, bright orange, showy flower, ... 

Haidee, Wildman's, white and pink, cupped petals, 

7 



Feet high. 

4 to 5 

5 to 6 
5 to 6 
5 to 6 

5 to 6 
4 to 5 

4 to 5 

6 to 8 

5 to 6 

4 to 5 

5 to 6 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 



to 6 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 4 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 6 
4 to 5 
4 to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 6 
to 5 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 6 
to 6 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 6 
to 5 
to 6 
to 5 
to 5 
to 5 
to 6 
to 4 
to 6 
to 5 
to 6 
to 5 



74 DAHLIA CATALOGUE. 

t Denotes American Seedlings. * Free Bloomers. $ New Yarietfeg. 

Feet high, 

^Honourable Miss Abbot, lilac, cupped petals and fine habit, - 4 to 5 

§Hope Triumphant, PFi/dma;z'5, fine formed rose, - - - 4 to 5 

Hope, Neville's, fine rose colour, - - - - - -4 to 5 

Indispensable, Girling' s, violet purple, fine form, - - - 5 to 6 

Ingestive Rival, Taylor's, bright lilac, - - - - -6 to 6 

^Jersey Maid, Langelier*s, blush, fine form, - - - - 4 to 5 

Julia, Clarke's, sulphur, tipped with crimson, - - - 4 to 6 

♦Juliet, Widnall's, fine cupped rose, - - - - -4 to 5 

Lady Ann, Hopwuod's, white, laced with lilac, - - - 3 to 4 
tLady Ashburton, Russell's, pure white, tipped with carmine lake, 5 to 6 

*Lady Ann Murray, Cafleiigh's, white, mottled with purple, - 4 to 5 

Lady Bathurst, white, laced with crimson, - - - - 4 to 5 

Lady Catharine Jermyn, white, mottled with crftnson scarlet, - 4 to 5 

§ Lady Glentworth, H''i/:^naZ/'s, shaded claret, fine form - - 4 to 5 

§Lady Harland, Jeflries's, rosy lilac, large showy flower, - - 5 to 6 

Lady Sonde's, Cox's, pale yellow, edged with rose, - - - 4 to 5 
Le Grande Baudain, Low's, rosy lilac, centre tinged with yellow, 5 to 6 

*Letitia, Wells's, yellow and brown, fine shape, - - - 3 to 4 

Lewisham Rival, white, elegantly cupped, - - - - 4 to 5 

§ Liberty, Girling^s, fine large cupped lilac, - - - - 4 to 5 

Lord Morpeth, Evans's, dark puce, finely cupped, - - - 4 to 5 

Lovely Ann, Dickerson' s, blush white, tinted with lilac, - - 4 to 5 

*Lucina, Spencer's, fine lilac, edged with crimson, - - - 4 to 5 
§Madame de Schaunenfeld, Girling's, bright vermilion, tipped with 

white, fine shape and habit, - - - - - -4 to 5 

^Madeline Bray, Atwell's, primrose, tipped with hlac, - - 3 to 4 

*Maid of Bath, Davis's, white, edged with purple, - - - 4 to 5 

Mary, Ward's, primrose yellow, Inrge flower, - - - - 4 to 5 

tMary Ann, Schniifz's, pure white, large flower, and perfect, - 4 to 6 

§Mary Jane, Edward's, white, tipped with purple, - - - 3 to 4 

Maria, Wheeler's, deep rose, superb form, - - - - 4 to 5 

^Marchioness of Aylesbury, Whale's, fine white, tipped with scarlet, 4 to 5 

*Marchioness of Breadalbane, lilac and white, mottled, - - 5 to 6 

Marchioness of Lansdowne, blush, with purple edge, - - 4 to 5 
^Marquis of Landsdowne, Brown's, shaded orange, large flower, 4 to 5 

♦Majestic, Widnall's, shaded rose, free bloomer, - - - 5 to 6 

♦Marshal Soult. Elphin si one's, lilac and red, - - - - 4 to 5 

Maresfield Hero, Mitchell's, yellow, tipped with crimson, - - 4 to 5 

Mary Queen of Scots, white, margined with purple, - - 6 to 6 

Mazeppa, Widnall's, rich ruby purple, - - - - -4 to 5 

Metella, plum colour, fine form, - - - - - »3to4 

♦Middlesex Rival, extra fine dark purple, - - - - 5 to 6 

§ Miracle, Milliez's, blood red, superior form, - - - - 4 to 5 

§Miss Chester, Stem's, fine white, a good form and habit, - 4 to 5 

Miss Johnston, Willison's, deep rose, extra fine form, - - 4 to 5 

•|-Miss Percival, Schmitz's, clear white, free bloomer, - - 4 to 5 

Miss Scroope, Medley's, extra fine rose, cupped, •, -, « 5 to 6 



DAHLIA CATALOGUE. 7$ 

* Denotes American Seedlings. * Free Bloomera. § New Varieties. 

Feet high. 

^Miranda, Brown's, blush lilac, - - -- - -4 to 5 

§Miss Watson, Gir lings, light purple, tipped with white, - - 4 to 5 

Miss Wilson, wiiite, tipped with scarlet, - - - - 5 to 6 

tMrs. Fletcher Webster, RusseWs, white, tipped with purple, - 6 to 6 

tMrs. Rushton, Biiisfs, blush white, tipped with lilac, - - 5 to 6 

Napoleon, Smitfi's. dark crimson, excellent formed flower, - 5 to 6 

Ne plus Ultra, WidnaWs, fine shaped, purple and crimson, - 3 to 4 

Newick Rival, ManteWs, beautiful ruby rose, - - - - 6 to 6 

*Nimrod, WidnalCs, fine dark crimson, 5 to 6 

§ Northern Beauty, Robinson's, white tipped with purple, - 4 to 5 

♦Orange Boven, Catleugh's, beautiful bronzy lilac, large flower, - 4 to 5 

§ Oriental Pearl, AtxotlCs, creamy white, good form, - - 5 to 6 

§Osgar, Widnall's, excellent dark crimson, cupped petals, - 5 to 6 

Painted Lady, white and blood red, - - - - -6 to 6 

Penelope, Medley's, blush, tinted with purple, - - - 4 to 5 

§ Perpetual Grand, large purple, - - - - - -4 to 5 

t Philadelphia, ScAmi/z's, white, spotted with purple, showy flower, 4 to 5 

Phenomenon, Whale's, white, edged with rosy lilac, - - - 5 to 6 

§ Phoenix, Hedley's, deep red scarlet, good form, - - -> 4 to 5 

♦Pickwick, dark purple, fine show flower, - - - - 4 to 5 

Picta Magniflora, Wells's, yellow, edged with red, - - - 3 to 4 

§ Plough Boy, Girling" s, dark purple, large and fine flower, - 4 to 5 

premier, Bowman's, fine cupped yellow, - - - - 4 to 5 

♦President, Wilmer's, dark purple, well formed, - - - 5 to 6 

President of the West, dark crimson, fine form, - - - 4 to 5 

Pride of Sussex, fine white, excellent form, - - - - 4 to 5 

Prima Donna, Squibbs's, blush, tinted with rosy lilac, - - 5 to 6 

§ Prince Albert, Adams's, chestnut brown, shaded with salmon, - 4 to 5 

§Prince of Wales, Dodd's, fine yellow, cupped petals, - - 3 to 4 
§ Princess Royal. Hudson's, pale amber, edged with pink, cup'd petals, 3 to 4 

§ Princess Royal, Herwood's, fine primrose, good form, - - 4 to 5 

§ Princess Royal, Thompson's bright orange, margined with red, - 3 to 4 

♦Queen Victoria, Fonder's, white, laced with purple, - - 4 to 5 

Queen, Ansell's, white, mottled and edged with pink, - - 3 to 4 

♦Queen, WidnaWs, true peach blossom, splendid form, - - 4 to 5 

§Queen of Lilacs, Apple'iy's, fine form and constant bloomer, - 4 to 5 

§P.ainbow, SmUh's, yellow, beautifully edged with rosy purple, - 4 to 5 

Rainbow, WidnaWs, purple and crimson, shaded, - - - 5 to 6 

♦Reliance, WidnaWs, orange, finely cupped, - - - - 5 to 6 

Revenge, I'ox's, fine sulphur, large flower, - - - - 4 to 5 

Rival Prince of Oransf, WidnaWs, light orange, - - - 5 to 6 

Rival Rose, Goodwin's, superb ruby rose, cupped, - - - 3 to 4 

♦Rienzir WidnaWs, crimson and puce, mottled, - - - 4 to 5 

Rosa Supurba, Elphin stone's, extra fine ruby rose, - - - 6 to G 

Rose Superior, Gilding's, very splendid, perfect flower, - - 5 to 6 
§Rose Unique, AnseWs, light rose, fine centre, and free bloomer, 4 to 5 

Rosetta, Mayhew's, fine ruby rose, - - - - - -6 to 6 



76 DAHLIA CATALOGUE. 

t Denotes American Seedlings. * Free Bloomers. f New Varieties^ 

Feet high. 
Rouge et Noir, AnselVs, deep crimson, shaded with dark purple, 4 to 5 
•Ruby Superb, Walter's, fine ruby red, excellent form, free bloomer, 5 to 6 
Royal Standard, Whalers, rich rosy purple, - - - - 6 to 6 

§ Satirist, Mart lock'' s, lilac purple, fine form and habit, • - 4 to 5 

Scarlet Defiance, Coudrey's, fine bright scarlet, • - - 4 to 5 

♦Scarlet Defiance, Cousins's, vivid scarlet, - - - - 5 to 6 

§Sir R. Sale, SmiM's, crimson purple, cupped petals, with fine centre, 4 to 6 
§Sir F. Johnston, Hillier^s, rosy purple, fine form, - - - 4 to 5 
Spectabile, Widnall's, light primrose, with purple margin, - 4 to 5 

Springfield Major, Gaines's, large dark crimson purple, - - 6 to 7 
♦Stella, fine crimson, cupped petals, constant and free, - - 4 to 5 
♦Striata Formosissima, Bates's, blush white, striped and spotted 

with crimson, - - - - - - - -4 to 5 

§St. George, Fawceft's, deep rose, good form, - - - - 5 to 6 

§ Stanley, Jones's, fine rose blush, excellent form, - - - 6 to 6 
§ Surprise, Oakley's, bright scarlet, finely tipped with white, - 4 to 5 
*Sulphurea Elegans, Jones's, sulphur yellow, - - - - 6 to 6 

♦Suffolk Hero, Girling's, fine dark maroon, - - - - 4 to 5 

Sunbury Hero, Wilmer's, yellow, tipped with red, - - - 6 to 6 
*SyIph, Widnall's, white, edged and mottled with rose, - - 4 to 5 
+T. G. Percival, Schmitz's, large dark crimson, round petals, fine form, 4 to 5 
♦Tournament, Catleugh's, ruby scarlet, extra fine, - - - 5 to 6 
♦Triumph, Milliez's, white, tinted with purple, superb flower, - 5 to 6 
§Turville's Essex Triumph, very dark, almost black, - - 3 to 4 

§Twyford Perfection, Young's, deep ruby, cupped petals, - - 6 to 6 
Unique, Ansell's, light yellow, tipped with red, - - - 4 to 5 

Unique, Walter's, white, delicately laced with pale lilac, - - 5 to 6 

Upway Rival, light purple, fine form, 4 to 5 

♦Uxbridge Magnet, Catleugh's, mottled purple, fine large flower, 5 to 6 
♦Vesia, Wells's, blush, fine bold flower, - - - - -4 to 5 
Victory, Knight's, rich dark crimson, - - - - -6 to 6 

Village Maid, beautiful light blush, 4 to 5 

Viola, Read's, rose colour, tipped with red, - - - - 4 to 5 

^Virgil, Mounljoy's, ruby purple, 4 to 5 

Virgin Queen, clear white, finely formed flower, - - - 5 to 6 

tWashington Irvina:, Schmitz's, light purple, free bloomer, - 5 to 6 

^Westbury Rival, Hull's, puce, fine form and constant bloomer, - 4 to 5 
§ White Defiance, Lan getter's, very fine white, good form, - - 3 to 4 
♦Will Watch, Girling's, shaded ruby, constant and fine, - - 5 to 6 
Windmill Hill Rival, white and violet, neat flower, - - - 4 to 5 
*Wint3rton Rival, Nelson's, light yellow, good form, - - - 6 to 6 
Xarifa, Oxer's, pale yellow, fine form, - - - . - 4 to 5 
Yellow Climax, Wildman's, extra fine yellow, perfect shape, - 4 to 5 
Yellow Defiance, Cox's, brilliant yellow, - - - - -4 to 5 
tYellow Victory, Schmitz's, brimstone yellow, finely cupped, - 4 to 5 
*York and Lancaster, fine rose pink, free bloomer, - - - 6 to 6 
Zeno, Elphinstone's, beautiful purple, • - -• -4 to 6 



DOUBLE DAHLIA. 77 

As some amateurs are apt to fancy that the most economi- 
cal method of obtaining a supply of Dahlias in their gardens, 
is to raise them from seed, it may be necessary to remind 
such, that the trouble and expense of raising any quantity 
of seedhngs, is equal to that attending the cultivation of the 
same number of the choicest varieties ; and when it is con- 
sidered that the greatest proportion of a plantation may be 
single, and semi-double, and that but few double flowering 
plants can be expected, equal to those above described, it 
must appear evident that it is the interest of such persons as 
desire to have their gardens unencumbered with plants that 
are not calculated to ornament the same, to procure plants 
or roots of such varieties as have been tested, and highly 
recommended, as is the case with all those described in the 
preceding Catalogue, and also those which are generally sold 
by the regular florists. But as I am writing for young gar- 
deners, it may be necessary to state, that although new varie- 
ties are usually raised from seed of the finest double flowers, 
some successful propegators prefer that procured from semi- 
double varieties. Sow seed toward the end of February, 
or early in March, in pots, and plunge them in a moderate 
hot-bed, or seed may be deposited in the earth of the beds, 
in shallow drills, and the beds attended to as directed in the 
Calendar for February and March. 

Nothing is more simple than the cultivation of Dahlia 
roots. In March or April, they will, if properly kept through 
the winter, begin to sprout around the old stems and tubers. 
To forward these sprouts in growth, the roots should either be 
buried in light earth on the top of a moderate hot-bed, or 
else potted, and then set in a warm room, or green-house, 
and watered. As soon as the shoots have grown to the 
length of two or three inches, the roots may be divided in 
such a manner as to have a good strong shoot attached to a 
piece of the tuber, or old stem ; each of these will, if pro- 
perly managed, make a plant. Those who may commence 
cultivating at an early season, should put the plants thus 

7* 



78 DOUBLE DAHLIA. 

separated into small pots, and keep them in a growing state 
until about the middle of Maj: at which time they may be 
turned out of the pots with the balls of earth entire, and 
planted in the open borders, from three to four feet from 
each other.* Let the ground be well pulverized, and enriched 
with good old manure, before the plants are set out. If the 
top soil be shallow, and the subsoil inferior, it would be bene- 
ficial to the plants to dig holes to the depth of from a foot 
to eighteen inches, and then replenish the earth with good 
rich compost, consisting of two thirds of fresh loam, and one 
third of well-rotted manure. 

Many cultivators have found late planting to suit better 
than early ; and I myself have had more perfect flowers 
from plants set out about the middle of June, than from those 
planted in May : this is easily accounted for. In July and 
August the weather is generally hoi, which brings the most 
forward plants into bud at an early season, and in the event 
of a continuation of hot, dry weather, such buds fail to pro- 
duce perfect flowers ; whereas those plants which are set 
out late, keep growing through the hot weather, and produce 
their buds just in time to receive all the benefit of the au- 
tumnal rains. From a consideration of these circumstances, 
I think early in June the safest time to set out Dahlia plants ; 
and if those persons who have no convenience to force their 
roots, set them out in May, in ground prepared as before 
directed, they will generally succeed very well, provided they 
take care to cover them in case of a cold change of weather. 
The roots may be thus cultivated entire, as is frequently 
done ; but if it be desired to have them parted, this business 
can be easily accomplished without disturbing tlie roots, and 
the offsets may be planted in the ground separately or potted. 

* In order to obtain an extra number of plants from any choice varieties, 
cuttings are frequently taken from the shoots when about three inches in 
length, which are planted in nursery-pots, and cultivated in hot-beds ; they 
require to be shaded from the sun, by mats, for the first fortnight, after 
which they may be gradually innured to theair^ and treated as plants raised 
in the ordinary way. . 



GLADIOLUS, CORN-FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 79 

Previous to setting out the plants, it will be necessary to 
provide for their preservation through the varied changes of 
the season, or a sudden gust of wind may destroy the expec- 
tations of a year. The branches of the Dahlia are extremely 
brittle, and, therefore, a good stout pole, or neat stake, should 
be driven down near each root, of a suitable height, so that 
the branches, as they progress in growth, may be tied thereto 
at every joint, which may be done with shreds of matting or 
twine. If the poles be in readiness, they are much more easily 
fixed at the time of planting the Dahlias than afterward ; but 
it may be done at any time after the ground has been softened 
by rain, provided it be not delayed too long, so as to subject 
the plants to risk. Sometimes a few forward buds of the 
Dahlias will exhibit their premature beauties to the beams 
of a July and August sun ; but their lustre is quickly dim- 
med. The latter end of September, sometimes all October, 
and part of November, witness the Dahlia in all its glory ; 
and dwarf plants, cultivated in pots, will sometimes blossom 
at Christmas ; but they require more than ordinary care, at 
a late period of their growth. 



GLADIOLUS, CORN-FLAG, OR SWORD LILY. 

Of this genus of bulbs there are about fifty species, natives 
of the Cape of Good Hope. They produce flowers of vari- 
ous colours, in August and September, and are well worthy 
the attention of those who cultivate tender exotic plants. 
They may be planted in September or October, about an 
inch deep, in pots, which must be kept in a green-house or 
light room, and watered sparingly until they begin to grow^ 
The following are known to be superb species and varieties ; 

G. alalus, or Wing-Flowered, producing bright orange- 
coloured flowers. 

G. blaiidus produces flowers of a beautiful blush rose 
colour. 



80 GLADIOLUS, CORN-FLAG, OR SWORD LILT. 

G. Byzantinus, or Turkish Flag, has large delicate purplo 
flowers. 

G. cardinalis. This variety produces very large flowers of 
superb scarlet, spotted with white. 

G. floribitndus, or Cluster Flower, produces large flowers 
of white and pink colour. 

The Gladiolus JVatalensiSy or Psiltacijia, is perhaps the 
most desirable to cultivate of all othere. It blossoms freely, 
and the coloui^s are exquisitely beautiful. In its progress of 
blooming, it exhibits variable coloui-s, as vermilion, red, yel- 
low, green, white, crimson, &c., which brighten, as the flower 
arrives at perfection, to the brilliancy of a rainbow. Another 
good quality displays itself in the bulb, which, if properly 
managed, will yield an abundance of offsets ; these being 
cultivated, will flower the third year in perfection, and thus 
continue to multiply pei^etually. 

I have named September and October as the time for 
planting, because it is considered the preferable season for 
most bulbs; but if these be preserved in good condition 
through the wintei until early in April, and then planted in 
a soil consisting of about one half fresh loam, equal parts 
of leaf mould, and sand, well mixed, they may be forwarded 
in a warm room, green-house, or moderate hot-bed, until 
settled warm weather, and then turned out of the pots into 
«, border, where they can be shaded from the sun at noon- 
^ay ; this will induce each of them to throw up three or four 
atems, from three to four feet high, each stem producing five 
or six gorgeous blossoms, in great peifection. Those planted 
in the autumn or winter, may also be turned out of the pots 
in June ; and, from the fibres having taken substantial root 
in the soil before transplanting, such plants may be taken 
up again in August, or early in September ; and on being 
planted in large pots, they may be removed, so as to perfect 
their bloom, within view of the parlour or sitting-room, which 
will afford considerable amusement and gTatificatioja^ 



HYACINTH. 81 

HYACINTH. 

"Hail to thee ! hail, thou lovely flower I 
Still shed around thy sweet perfume, 
Still smile amid the Wintry hour, 
And boast e'en then a spring-tide bloom. 
Thus hope, mid life's severest days. 
Still smiles, still triumphs o'er despair ; 
Alike she lives in pleasure's rays, 
And cold affliction's Winter air." 

There are, as has been already stated, about thirteen 
hundred varieties of this family of plants, comprising all the 
various hues, as w^hite, pink, red, yellow^, blue, purple, crim- 
son, &c., and some of those vv^ith various coloured eyes. 
They begin to produce their flowers in the open borders 
early in April, on short erect stems covered with florets or 
small bells ; each floret is well filled with petals lising toward 
the centre, and is suspended from the stem by short strong 
footstalks, the longest at the bottom, and the uppermost 
florets stand so erect as to form a pyramid. A plantation, or 
bed of these, has a very beautiful appearance, provided they 
are well attended to. In planting them, which should be 
in the months of October or November, care should be taken 
to have the colours so diversified as to suit the fancy ; they 
may be placed in short rows across the bed, about eight inches 
apart, and from three to four inches deep, measuiing from 
the top of the bulb, and covered up at the setting in of win- 
ter, as before recommended for bulbs in general. 

Those who may have a fine collection, should have an 
awning erected in the spring, to screen them from the chill- 
ing blast, and also from drenching rains and the noonday 
sun ; and they should be looked over as soon as they make 
their appearance above ground, to see if they are all perfect 
and regular ; if faulty or inferior bulbs should appear to have 
been planted in a conspicuous part of the bed, by accident 
or mistake, they can be taken out, and by shortening the 
rows, others may be substituted with a trowel. When all 
are regulated, look over them frequently, and as the stems 



82 IRIS, OR FLOWER DE LUCE. IXIAS. 

shoot up, tie them to wires, or small rods, with shreds of 
bass matting or thread, being careful not to injure the florets. 
In about six weeks after they have done flowering, the bulbs 
may be taken up, and managed as recommended for bulbs 
in general, in a former page. 



IRIS, OR FLOWER DE LUCE. 

There are two distinct species of plants cultivated under 
the name of Flower de Luce, each consisting of several varie- 
ties. The bulbous species and varieties are designated as 
English, Spanish, Chalcedonian, and American. These, if 
introduced into the flower borders, and intermixed with 
perennial plants of variable colours, have a very pretty 
appearance when planted in clumps or patches. This may 
be done in the month of October, by taking out a spadeful 
of earth from each place allotted for a plant, and then insert- 
ing three or four bulbs, about two inches deep. If the ground 
be poor, some rich compost may be dug in around the spot 
before the bulbs are planted; and if several sorts be planted 
in the same border, let them be of various colours. The 
tuberous-rooted are of various colours, as blue, yellow, brown, 
and spotted ; they are easily cultivated, and flower freely in 
a loose soil inclining to moisture, if planted in March or April, 



IXIAS. 

These are tender, but very free flowering bulbs, producing 
on their stems, which vary in height from six inches to two 
feet, very delicate flowers of various colours, as orange, 
blush, v<^hite, purple, green, crimson, scarlet, and some have 
two or three colours blended in the same plant. 

There are, in all, upward of twenty species, which may 
be cultivated in the green-house, by planting the bulbs in 
pots in September or October, and placing them near the 
light, and watering them sparingly until they beoin to shoot. 



JONQUILS LACHENALIAS LILIES. 83 

JONQUILS. 

This is a hardy race of bulbs, and produces very delicate 
yellow flowers early in May. There are different varieties, 
some of which are single flowering, and others double. 
Their fragrance is very grateful, being similar to that of 
Jasmines. The bulbs may be planted about two inches 
deep in the flower borders, or in pots, in October, or before 
the setting in of winter ; they flower better the second year 
than in the first, and, therefore, should not be moved and 
replanted oftener than once in three years. 



LACHENALIAS. 

These are tender little bulbs, natives of the Cape of Good 
Hope. There are supposed to be in all about forty species 
and varieties. Those most cultivated with us are the Lach^ 
enalia quadricolor, and L. tricolor, which are very beautiful 
when in full bloom, exhibiting flowers of various colours on 
a stem of from six inches to a foot in height, and much in 
the character of Hyacinths. The colours, which are yellow, 
scarlet, orange, gi'een, &c., are very pure and distinct. L. 
nervosa, L. orchoides, L. 'punctata, and L. rubida, are all 
excellent species, and worthy of cultivation. They may be 
planted from one to two inches deep, in small pots, in the 
months of August and September, and watered but sparingly 
until they begin to grow. 



LILIES. 



There are several plants under this name, of different 
genera, some of which are indigenous. The Canada Lily, 
with yellow spotted drooping flowers, may be seen in wet 
meadows toward the last of June, and early in July. The 
Philadelphia Lily blooms also in July ; its flowers are red. 



84 LILIES. 

There are some pure white, and others yellow, growing in 
various parts of the country. Among the foreign genera 
are several species. Of the Martagon, or Turk's Cap Lilies, 
there are some beautiful varieties; as the Caligula, which 
produces scarlet flowers ; and there is one called the Crown 
of Tunis, of purple colour ; beside these, are the Double 
Violet Flamed, the White, the Orange, and the Spotted ; 
these are all hardy, and may be planted in various parts of 
the garden, by taking out a square foot of earth, and then, 
after manuring and pulverizing it, the bulbs may be planted 
therein before the setting in of winter, at diiferent depths, 
from two to four inches, according to the size of the bulbs. 
Some of the Chinese varieties are very beautiful, as the 
Tiger, or Leopard Lily, and the dwarf red, Lilium con- 
color. There are others with elegant silver stripes, which 
are very showy, and there is one called Lilium superbwn, 
that has been known to have twenty-five flowers on a single 
etalk. 

Beside those above enumerated, there are some others 
which are generally cultivated in green-houses, as the Calla^ 
or Ethiopian Lily; and the following, which have been 
known to endure our winters, by protecting them with 
dung, &c. : Lilium longiflonim, in two varieties ; these pro- 
duce on their stalks, which grow from twelve to eighteen 
inches high, beautiful rose coloured flowers, streaked with 
white, which are very sweet-scented. These roots are 
sometimes kept out of the ground until spring, and then 
planted in the flower borders, but they should be preserved 
carefully in sand or dry mould. Lilium Japonicum : of 
these there are two varieties, which produce several stalks 
at once, yielding very showy flowers. One of the varieties 
is blue flowered, and the other produces flowers of the 
purest white. 



NARCISSUS. ORNITHOGALUM, OR STAR OP BETHLEHEM. B5 

NARCISSUS. 

The species and varieties of this plant are numerous. The 
Incomparable is perfectly hardy, and produces its flowers in 
April, which are called by some pasche, or pans flowers, by 
others, butter and eggs ; perhaps because their bright yellow 
petals are surrounded with large white ones. Some persons 
dislike the smell of these, and it is said that the odour has a 
pernicious effect upon the nerves ; but the white fragrant 
double, as well as the Roman, and Polyanthus Narcissus, are 
free from this objection, being of a very grateful and agree- 
able smell. Some of these are justly held in great esteem 
for their earliness, as well as for their varied colours. The 
Gi'and Monarque de France, the Belle Legoise, and some 
others, have white flowers with yellow cups. The Glorieux 
has a yellow ground, with orange coloured cups ; beside 
these are some white and citron coloured, as the Luna, and 
others entirely white, as the Rein Blanche and Morgenster. 
All these varieties are very suitable either for the parlour or 
green-house, and may be planted in pots, from October to 
December, from two to three inches deep. The double Ro- 
man Narcissus are very sweet-scented ; if these be planted in 
pots, or put into bulb glasses in the month of October, they 
will flower in January and February. 

Polyanthus Narcissus are more delicate than Hyacinths 
or Tulips ; when they are planted in the open border, they 
should be covered about four inches with earth, and before 
the setting in of winter, it is advisable to cover the beds with 
straw, leaves, or litter, to the depth of six or seven inches, 
and to uncover them about the middle of March. 



ORNITHOGALUM, OR STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 

There are about fifty varieties of these bulbs, natives of 
the Cape of Good Hope, some of which are from three to 
five inches in diameter, and shaped similar to a pear ; others 

8 



86 OXALIS. 

are much like Hyacinth bulbs. Among those cultivated in 
Araeiica are the O. lacteum, and the O. aureum ; the former 
produces fine white flowers, and the spike is about a foot in 
length ; and the latter produces flowers of a golden colour, 
in contracted racemose corymbs. The O. marilimum, oi 
Sea Squill, is curious ; from the centre of the root rise seve- 
ral shining glauceus leaves, a foot long, two inches broad at 
the base, and narrowing to a point. If kept in a green-house, 
these are green during the winter, and decay in the spring ; 
then the flower-stalk comes up rising two feet, naked half 
way, and terminated by a pyramidal thryse of white flowers. 
These bulbs are generally cultivated in the green-house, 
and require a compost consisting of about one half fresh loam, 
one third leaf mould, and the remainder sand, in which they 
may be planted in September. When cultivated in the gar- 
den, they should be planted four or five inches deep, and 
protected with dung, &c. They produce their flowers early 
in June. 



OXALIS. 

The Oxalis is a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; the 
species are numerous, and their roots are very small bulbs, 
articulated, jointed, or granulated, in a manner peculiar to 
this genus. They produce curious floAvers of various hues, 
yellow, purple, rose, red, white, striped, vermilion colour, &c. 
The bulbs should be planted in very small pots, in August 
and September, in a compost consisting of about two thirds 
loam, and one third leaf or light mould, and treated in the 
same manner as other Cape Bulbs. They increase in a pe- 
culiar manner, by the parent bulb striking a fibre down from 
its base, at the extremity of which is produced a new bulb 
for the next year's plant, the old one perishing. These 
plants will flower freely in a green-house. 



PiEONY. 87' 

P^ONY. 

" Pffionia round each fiery ring unfurls, 
Bares to the noon's bright blaze her sanguine cuils." 

Of this genus of splendid plants there are known to be 
about twenty species, and as many varieties. It is said that 
the Pceonia officinalis rubra, or common double red Paeony, 
was introduced into Antwerp upward of two centuries ago, 
at which time it was sold at an enormous price. It has since 
been highly esteemed in Europe and America, and is to be 
found in all well-established gardens, exhibiting its vivid 
crimson petals early in June. Many superb species have of 
late years been brought from China, a few of which may be 
noticed, with some others which are in very great repute. 

Pceonia alba Chinensis is one of the finest of the herbaceous 
sorts. The flowers are white, tinged with pink at the bot- 
tom of the petals. 

P. edulis whitleji has also white flowers, which are very 
large and splendid. 

P. edulis fragrans, is a fine large double scarlet variety, 
and produces flowers perfumed like the rose. 

P. humei has beautiful large double dark blush-coloured 
flowers. 

P. paradoxa fimbriata produces fringed double red flowers, 
which are very beautiful. 

These are all hardy, and may be planted about four inches 
deep in the garden, in October or November. The flowers 
exhibit themselves to the best advantage when planted on a 
bed that is elevated, and of a circular form. 

The following are half hardy and half shrubby ; these 
have been known to survive the winter by being well pro- 
tected, but are kept much better in a green-house ; and they 
also exhibit their flowers to greater advantage than when 
exposed to the full sun. 

P. mouian Bankshii, or Tree Paeony, produces very large 
double blush flowers in abundance, with feathered edges to 
every petal. JThis variety is highly deserving of cultivation. 



88 TULIP. 

p. moutan rosea is a fine rose-coloured double variety, and 
produces very splendid flowers. 

P. moutan papaveracea produces very large white flowers, 
with pink centres. This splendid variety frequently bears 
flowers from nine to eleven inches in diameter. 

Beside the above, are several others of various colours, 
some of which are semi-double. 



TULIP. 



" For brilliant tints to charm the eye, 
What plant can with the Tulip viel 
Yet no delicious scent it yields 
To cheer the garden or the fields ; 
Vainly in gaudy colours dressed, 
'Tis rather gazed on than caressed." 

The Tulip is a native of the Levant, and has been in cul- 
tivation nearly three centuries. It may be justly entitled the 
King of Flowers, for the brilliancy and endless combination 
of all colours and shades. The varieties of the Tulip are 
very numerous, and are divided into different classes. Those 
cultivated in regular beds by amateurs are rose-coloured, 
bybloemen, and bizarres. There are a great many beautiful 
varieties, denominated Parrot Tulips, which have notched 
petals, striped or diversified with green ; and also some very 
dwarfish kinds, both single and double, which are generally 
cultivated in parlours and green-houses. 

Mr. T. Hogg, of Paddington, near London, has published 
a work, entitled ' A Treatise on the cultivation of Florists' 
Flowers,' which comprises the Tulip, Carnation, Auricula, 
Ranunculus, Polyanthus, Dahlia, German and China Asters, 
Seedling Heart's Ease, and New Annuals. In that work, 
which is dedicated to Queen Adelaide, the author remarks 
that the cultivation of the Tulip is one of the most fascina- 
ting and pleasing pursuits imaginable, and that when " The 
Tulip mania has fairly got hold of any one, ^ sticks to him 



TtJLIP. 89 

like the skin on his back, and remains with him the rest of 
his Hfe." He instances a Mr. Davey, of Chelsea, as being 
in his seventy-fifth year, and in whose breast the fancy for 
Tulips was so predominant, that in the autumn of 1832, he 
was induced to part with a hundred sovereigns for one sin- 
gle Tulip, named " Miss Fanny Kemble." Perhaps a better 
definition of what constitutes the properties of a good Tulip, 
could not be given than a description of this " precious gem, 
or loveliest of all Tulips ;" but, lest my readers should con- 
clude that the old man was in his dotage, I would inform 
them that this favourite bulb was purchased of the executors 
of the late Mr. Clarke, with whom it originated, and that it 
had not only been the pet of its owner, but had excited the 
envy and admiration of all the amateurs who went to view it. 

" This precious gem, a bybloemen Tulip, was raised from 
one of Mr. Clarke's seedling breeders, and broke into colour 
three years ago ; it has produced two offsets since, and is 
adapted to the second or third row in the bed ; the stem is 
firm and elastic ; the foliage full and broad, of a lively green ; 
the cup large, and of the finest form; the white pure and 
wholly free from stain ; the pencilling on the petals is beau- 
tifully marked with black or dark purple, and the feathering 
uniform and elegant ; it preserv^es its shape to the last, the 
outer leaves not sinking from the inner ; in a word, it is con- 
sidered the first flower of its cast, and the best that has ever 
been produced in England." , „ 

The article in the work already alluded to, on the culti- 
vation of Tulips alone, occupies ninety-six pages ; I, there- 
fore, cannot attempt any thing more than an abridgement of 
the author's ideas on some important points. Those of my 
readers who may desire full information, are referred to the 
work itself, which may be obtained of Mr. G. C. Thorburn. 

The following description may serve to govern the choice 
of amateurs. Tulips exhibited at the show are, in general, 
classed and distinguished as follows: Flamed Bizarre^, 
Feathered Bizarres, Flamed Bybloemens^ Feathered Bybloe- 

8* 



90 TULIP. 

mens, Flamed Roses, Feathered Roses, and Selfs, or plain- 
coloured. 

A Bizarre Tulip lias a yellow ground, marked with pur- 
ple or scarlet of different shades ; it is c^Med flamed when a 
broad or irregular stripe runs up the middle of the petals, 
with short abrupt projecting points, branching out on each 
side ; fine narrow lines, called arched and ribbed, often extend 
also from this broad stripe to the extremity of the leaves, the 
colour generally appearing strongest in the inside petals ; a 
Tulip, with this broad coloured stiipe, which is sometimes 
called beamed or splashed, is, at the same time, frequently 
feathered also. 

It is called /ea^^erecZ when it is without this broad stripe ; 
but yet it may have some narrow lines, joined or detached, 
running up the centre of the leaf, sometimes branching out 
and cai'ved toward the top, and sometimes wdthout any spot 
or line at all ; the petals are feathered more or less round 
the edges or margin inside and out ; the pencilling or feath- 
ering is heavy or broad in some, and light or narrow in 
others, sometimes with breaks or gaps, and sometimes close 
and continued, all round. 

A Bybloemen Tulip has a white ground, lined, marked, 
striped, or variegated with violet or purple, only of various 
shades ; and whether feathered or flamed, is distinguished 
by the same characters and marks which are pointed out 
and applied to the Bizarred Tulips. 

A Rose Tulip is marked or variegated with rose, scarlet, 
crimson, or cherry colour, on a white ground ; and the 
Feathered Rose is to be distinguished from the Flamed by 
the same rules as described before ; the Rose is very often 
both feathered and flamed. 

A Self, or plain-coloured Tulip, properly so called, is either 
white or yellow, and admits of no farther change ; other 
plain-coloured Tulips, whether red or purple, are called 
breeders, and are hardly worthy of being exhibited. Mr. 
Hogg informs us, that dfilOO, say $500, judiciously expended 



TULIP. ^t 

at the present time, will give a moderate-sized bed, that 
shall contain the greater part of the finest varieties grown ; 
such a bed as 66250 would not have purchased twelve or 
fourteen years ago. 

To describe minutely the mode of planting a regular bed 
of Tulips would exceed our limits ; suffice it to state that 
the name of every bulb should be written in a book, and 
that they should be so classed as to have the varied colours 
show advantageously ; to this end, the tallest should be allot- 
ted for the middle of the bed, and others in regular grada- 
tion, so as to have the most dwaifish on the sides. The 
bulbs must be covered with good mould to the depth of three 
inches from the top of the bulb on the sides of the bed, and 
about four inches in the middle. Let a small spoonful of 
clean drift sand be used around each bulb, and see that the 
bed be left sufficiently round from the middle to the edges. 
The beginner must understand that no unsightly tallies, or 
number sticks, are to distinguish the Tulips; but that he 
must adopt a sort of ground plan, dividing the whole bed 
into rows of seven bulbs across ; for example, write down 
the names and places of the Tulips in the first row, and con- 
tinue the same form all through to the other end of the bed. 

Row First, 
No. 1. Fenelon, this is a Bybloemen. 



2. Duchess of Clarence, 

3. Charlemagne, - - 

4. Louis the Sixteenth, 

5. Memnon, - - - - 

6. Volney, - . - - 

7. Lady Crewe, - - - 



Rose-coloured. 

Bybloemen. 

Bybloemen. 

Bizarre. 

Bybloemen. 

Rose-coloured. 



Good fresh loam, taken from under healthy grass sods, is 
the most suitable soil for Tulips to grow in ; under which 
should be buried, to the depth of a foot, about two inches' 
thickness of well-rotted cow or horse droppings. The reason 
for placing the dung so low is, that the fibres may get down 



92 TUBEROSE. 

to it, (which they will do,) and that the bulbs may not be 
injured by it, as is apt to be the case if too much dung is 
used around them. The best time for planting the bulbs is 
early in November, and the beds should be made a fortnight 
previous, in order that the earth may become sufficiently 
settled. 

If severe frosts set in after the Tulips show themselves 
above ground in the spring, some protection should be given ; 
single mats placed over hoop bends answer very well ; and 
at the time of blooming, an awning should be erected over 
them, to screen them from the intense heat of the sun, which 
awning should be sufficiently spacious to admit of persons 
walking under it, to view the beautiful flowers to the great- 
est possible advantage. 



TUBEROSE. 

This fragrant and delightful flower has been cultivated in 
English flower gardens for upward of two centuries ; there 
the bulbs are generally cultivated in pots early in the spring, 
and transferred to the flower borders as soon as it becomes 
settled warm weather ; for they are very tender. They 
generaUy succeed very well here, if planted at once in the 
open border toward the end of April, and produce flowers, 
which are pure white, and highly odoriferous, on a stem three 
to four feet high. 

The bulbs produce a number of offsets, which should be 
preserved with the parent plants through the winter, and 
then parted off" and planted by themselves, in April or early 
in May, to produce flowering roots for the ensuing year. 
These roots thrive best in a Ught rich soil, well pulverized, 
in which they should be planted about two inches deep, 
not forgetting to take them up again before the approach of 
winter. 



TIGER FLOWER. 93 

TIGER FLOWER. 

Perhaps there is no flower treated of in this work that 
is more beautiful than some of the species of the genus 
Tigridia. Like all Mexican bulbs, these are tender, and 
should either be cultivated in the green-hoUse, or carefully 
preserved until settled warm weather, and then planted in 
good light soil, in a sheltered situation. A bed of these 
beautiful flowers would afford as much gratification to some 
amateurs as a bed of Tulips. 

The Tigridia conchiflora is of a rich yellow colour, tinged 
and spotted with white and crimson ; the colours are very 
vivid and finely contrasted. The Tigridia pavonia j^ of the 
brightest scarlet, tinged and spotted with brilliant yellow. 
The corolla, which is about four inches in diameter, is com- 
posed of six petals ; the outer petals are thrown backward, 
and exhibit the blossom in all its splendour, which exists 
only a single day ; but as if to compensate for its transient 
visit, each plant will produce a number of flowers ; and 
where a bed of them can be collected, they will amuse their 
admirers for several weeks from July to September. In such 
case the bulbs may be planted about two inches deep, say 
nine by fifteen inches apart, toward the end of April, or early 
in May, and taken up again in October, to preserve for plant- 
ing the ensuing year. 



94 
OBSERVATIONS 

OK 

THE CULTURE OF BULBOUS ROOTS, 

IN POTS OR GLASSES, IN THE WINTER SEASON. 



The culture of bulbous roots in a green-house, or light 
room, during the winter, is comparatively easy, provided 
two points be attended to : the first is to keep them near the 
light, and turn the pots or glasses round frequently, to prevent 
their growing crowded ; and the second is, when the plants 
have done growing, to give them little or no water; for 
want of attention to these points, bulbs have been known to 
produce foliage year after year, without showing any sign 
of blossoms. 

All bulbs, at a certain period of the year, are in a dor- 
mant condition ; this, in a state of nature, is invariably after 
the seed has ripened ; but as, in a green-house, many of this 
family do not ripen seed, the cultivator should watch the 
period when the leaves show indications of decay ; at which 
time, the supplies of water should be lessened, and shortly 
afterward the earth should be suffered to get dry, and remain 
60 until the season returns when the bulbs re-germinate. 

Many sorts of bulbs will keep best in pots, under the soil, 
in a dry, shady place, and in the same temperature as that 
in which they are in the habit of growing; but others, such 
as the Hyacinth, Tulip, Narcissus, &c., may be taken out of 
the soil, and preserved as before directed, until the return 
of the proper season for replanting. 

Dutch bulhous roots intended for blooming in pots during 
the winter season should be planted during the months of 



CULTURE OP BULBOUS ROOTS IN ROOMS. 95 

October and November, and be left in the open air until it 
begins to freeze ; and then be placed in the green-house, or in 
a room, exposed to the sun. They will need occasional mo- 
derate waterings until they begin to grow ; then they should 
have abundance of air in mild weather, and plenty of water 
from the saucers underneath the pots, while in a growing 
state ; and should be exposed as much as possible to the sun, 
air, and light, to prevent the foliage from growing too long, or 
becoming yellow. 

For tliis purpose, single Hyacinths, and such as are desig- 
nated earliest among the double, are to be preferred. Sin- 
gle Hyacinths are by some held in less esteem than double 
ones ; their colours, however, are more vivid, and their bells, 
though smaller, are more numerous; some of the finer sorts 
are exquisitely beautiful ; they are preferable for flowering 
in winter to most of the double ones, as they bloom two or 
three weeks earlier, and are very sweet-scented. Roman 
Narcissus, double Jonquils, Polyanthus Narcissus, double 
Narcissus, and Crocuses, also make a fine appearance in 
the parlour during winter. It is a remarkable circumstance 
of the Crocus, that it keeps its petals expanded during tole- 
rably bright candle or lamp light, in the same manner as 
it does during the light of the sun. If the candle be removed, 
the Crocus closes its petals, as it does in a garden when a 
cloud obscures the sun ; and when the artificial light is 
restored, they open again, as they do with the return of the 
direct solar rays. 

Hyacinths and other bulbs intended for glasses should be 
placed in them about the middle of November, the glasses 
being previously filled with pure water, so that the bottom 
of the bulb may just touch the water ; then place them for 
the first ten days in a dark room, to promote the shooting of 
the roots ; after which expose them to the light and sun as 
much as possible ; they will blossom without the aid of the 
Bun, but the colours of the flowers will be inferior. The 
water should be changed as often as it becomes impure ; 



96 CULTURE OP BULBOUS ROOTS IN ROOMS. 

draw the roots entirely out of the glasses, linse the fibres in 
clean water, and also the glasses inside ; care should be 
taken not to suffer the water to freeze, as it not only bursts 
the glasses, but often causes the fibres to decay. Whether 
the water be hard or soft, is of no great consequence ; but 
soft, or rain water, is generally preferred, and it must be 
perfectly clear. 

Forced bulbs are seldom good for any thing afterward ; 
however, those who wish to preserve them, may immerse 
them wholly in water for a few days ; and then, having 
taken them out, and diied them in the shade for a short 
time, they may be planted in a good soil, in the garden, where 
they will sometimes flower the next year. It does not 
clearly appear in what way the water operates when the 
bulb is wholly immersed ; but it is certain that bulbs so 
treated increase in size and solidity, and have an incompara- 
bly better chance of flowering the second year, than those 
which have not been so treated ; most probably their total 
immersion enables them to obtain a greater proportion of 
oxygen from the water. 

Nosegays should have the water in which their ends are 
inserted changed, on the same principal as bulbous roots j 
and a much faded nosegay, if not dried up, may often be 
recovered for a time, by covering it with a glass bell, or cup, 
or by substituting salt water for fresh. 

Very fine Hyacinths have been grown in a drawing-room, 
in the following novel manner. A quantity of moss, classi- 
cally called hypmim, and vulgarly fog, was placed in a water- 
tight box, about eight or nine inches deep, into which the 
bulbs were placed, at the end of September, without mould, 
and duly watered ; the result of this experiment was highly 
favourable. 



97 
OBSERVATIONS 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF GREEN-HOUSE 
PLANTS. 



Having already exceeded my limits, I am compelled to be 
brief in my observations on such ornamental plants as are 
generally cultivated in hot and green-houses. This descrip- 
tion of plants embraces those which are collected from vari- 
ous climates, and thrive best in a temperature and soil simi- 
lar to that in which nature first produced them : hence those 
who propagate exotic plants must provide suitable composts, 
and also separate departments, where the different degrees 
of heat may be kept up, according to their nature and 
description. Some of these are raised from seed sown in 
the spring, others by layers, suckers, and offsets detached 
from the old plants, and many by slips or cuttings, planted 
at different seasons of the year, according to their various 
natures and state of the plants. Many kinds require the aid 
of glass coverings and bottom heat, created by fresh horse 
dung, tan, &c. [See Calendar and Index.] 

Were I to attempt to give directions for the propagation 
of all the varieties of useful and ornamental exotic plants 
cultivated in various parts of our country, it would require 
several volumes. The catalogue of green-house plants alone, 
kept by the enterprising proprietor of the Linngean Botanic 
Garden, at Flushing, occupies fifty pages of close matter ; 
it would, therefore, be impossible to do justice to the subject 
without dividing upward of two thousand species of plants 
into classes, and treating of them under distinct heads ; I 
shall, therefore, not attempt in this edition to write largely 
on the subject. 

9 



98 MANAGEMENT OP GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

In order to render this work useful to those who may wish 
to avail themselves of the pleasure of nursing some of those 
beauties of nature in dwelling or green-houses during the 
most chilling days of our severe winters, and to aliord 
amusement to the ladies at a season when our gardens are 
deprived of their lovliest charms, I shall notice some essen- 
tial points connected with the management of green-house 
plants in as explicit a manner as possible, and subjoin a brief 
catalogue of such species as are most generally cultivated, 
of which there are innumerable varieties ; descriptions of 
which, with all the varied features of the floral kingdom, 
may be found in the voluminous works of Loudon, Sweet, 
Chandler, and other English writers * 

The generality of those denominated green-house plants, 
and which are kept in rooms, should be placed where they 
can have the light of the sun, without being exposed to 
frost. Air, heat, and moisture are essential to the growth 
of plants; but these should be given in due proportions, 
according to circumstances. In frosty weather they should 



* All the most popular Kngiish I)oolcs on this subiect, are imported by 
G. C. Thorburn, No. 15 John street, anionij which are the following : 

'Loudon's KncycloptEdia of Plants,' illustrated by en^ravin^s and with 
figures of nearly ten thousand spt'cies, exemplifyirig several individuals 
belonging to every genus included in the work. Completed in one large 
volume, Svo. — $-20. 

' Loudon's Knryclopsedia of fJardening.' comprising the Theory and 
Practice of Horticulture, Floriculture, Arboriculture, and Landscape Gar- 
dening ; including all the latest iinprovftnents. A new edition, in one 
large volume, Svo.. closely printed, with upward of 700 engravings. — $12. 

' Chandlei (of London) on the Camellia ;' contamJng ami)!e directions 
for the cultivation of this fine- pltnt, witi^ a superb plute of all the present 
known varieties in Kngland. I vol 4lo — $45. 

' Hortus Brittaiiicus ;' a Catalo'j;ue of Plants cultivated in the gardens 
of dreat Britain, arranged in natural orders. — >v6. 

* The British Flower Garden •,' contahiinii coloured figures, and descrip- 
tions of all the most ornamental and curious plants ; with the>r scientific 
and Fnglish natne< ; best method of cultivation and propagation; the 
heights they generally attain ; or any other information respecting them, 
that may be con>:id»jed useful or intRrestins. By R. Sweet. F. L. S., &c. ; 
the drnwini£8 by K. D. Smith. F. L. s". In 5 vols , 8vo., calf, and continued 
in monthly number.-?. A splendid work. — $100. 



MANAGEMENT OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 99 

be kept from the external air, and watered very sparingly. 
When water is necessary, it should be applied in the morn- 
ing of a mild sunny day. The plants should be kept free 
from decayed leaves, and the earth at the top of the pots 
should be sometimes loosened to a moderate depth, and 
replenished with a portion of rich compost. 

Plants kept in private houses are often killed with kind- 
ness. The tem[)erature of a room in winter need not be 
more than ten degrees above freezing. If plants are healthy, 
they may be kept so by attention to the preceding hints ; 
unhealthiness generally arises from their being subjected to 
the extremes of heat, cold, or moisture, or from total neg- 
lect.* 

In order that the ideas above advanced may be duly con- 
sidered, it may be useful to indulge in a more minute de- 
scription of the nature of plants, and to show in what man- 
ner the elements operate upon them. It is an acknowledged 
fact, that the rofjts of plants require moisture, and therefore 
penetrate the earth in search of it, and that the plants them- 
selves are greatly nourished by air, and spread their branches 
and leaves to catch as much as possible its enlivening influ- 
ence. Light also is so far essential, that there can be no 
colour without it ; witness the blanching of celery and en- 
dive, where the parts deprived of light become white ; place 

* An amateur florist of this city has sui^tjestpd the followine hints in 
regard to the mana-^ement of plants in rooms. He says that he keeps his 
plants in a room, the windows o.f which, having a southern exposure, will 
adm t the sun all tiay. The plants are placed on a table with rollers at- 
tached to the legs, which in moderate weather is kept as near to the class 
as possible. In cold weather he removes the table into the middle of the 
room, and places a pail of water near the plants to attract the frost. He 
considers it a great mistake to suppose that p'ants kept in warm rooms re- 
quire much fire heat, on the contrary, he contends, that a moderate decree 
of cold will agree with plants much better than a very high temperature. 
He, however, considers it needless to attempt to ke^p plants in a colcl 
room, the windows of which face the north. A southeastern, or even 
eastern etposure may answer without any fire, except in very cold wea- 
ther. It may \)c observed, firther, that excessive mnisture injures plants 
more than drougfit. and that plants in general do not require water while 
the eurface of the earth in the pots is moist. 



100 MANAGEMENT OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

a plant in almost any situation, it will invariably show a ten- 
dency to turn to the light ; the sunflower is a striking exam- 
ple of this singular fact. As the leaves supply the plant 
with air, and the fibres of the roots with nourishment, to 
iBtrip off the leaves or destroy the fibres is to deprive it of 
part of its means of support. 

Having shown that air and water are essential to vege- 
tation, and light to its colour, experience shows us that 
heat, in a greater or less degiee, is not less necessary to 
the growth of plants ; it is therefore requisite, that in 
taking plants into our rooms, we should attend to these par- 
ticulars. 

The internal structure of plants consists of minute and 
imperceptible pores, which serve the same important pur- 
pose in the vegetable, as veins in the animal, system ; they 
are the medium of the circulation of the sap in the former, 
as the veins are of the blood in the latter ; but it is by no 
means settled as yet by physiologists how the food of plants 
is taken up into the system, and converted into their con- 
stituent parts. 

From the foregoing considerations and facts, it is evident, 
that, as air, heat, and moisture are each essential to vegeta- 
tion, water should only be given in proportion as heat and 
air are attainable. In the summer season, green-house 
plants may be exposed to the open air, from the early part 
of May until the end of September, by being placed on the 
ledges of windows, or on a stand erected for the purpose, 
or, in the absence of a nursery bed of flowering plants, they 
may be introduced into the regular flower-beds, to supply 
the place of such plants as may wither and die in the course 
of the summer, by being turned out of the pots and planted, 
or plunged in the earth with the pots. 

In the heat of the summer season, plants generally re- 
quire water every evening, and in the absence of dews, the 
earth about their roots may sometimes need a little in the 
morning; but experience shows, that the roots of plants 



MANAGEMENT OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 101 

more frequently get injured from being soddened with wa- 
ter, than from being kept moderately dry. 

Having before intimated that exotic plants will generally 
thrive best in a temperature and soil similar to that in which 
nature first produced them, it may be necessary to remind 
the reader, that we have the means of obtaining suitable 
composts from our own soils, and from sand, decayed leaves, 
rotten dung, and various kinds of peat, bog, and rock mould ; 
these ingredients being judiciously mixed and prepared, 
may be suited to all the various kinds of plants, and should 
be used as occasion requires. 

As the roots of plants make considerable growth in the 
course of a summer, it will be necessary to examine them 
by turning them out of the pots ; this may be done in the 
latter part of August or early in September, at which time 
all matted and decayed roots should be pared off, and the 
plants shifted into larger pots, which being filled with suita- 
ble compost, and watered, will be ready for removal into the 
house on the approach of cold nights, which is generally 
early in October. 

Green-house plants require an annual pruning, and should 
be occasionally headed down, in order that their size and 
appearance may be improved ; the best time for doing this 
is soon after they have done flowering, and while they are 
in a growing state. 

Having endeavoured to furnish my readers with the arti- 
ficial means of preserving tender plants in a climate foreign 
to that in which nature first produced them, I shall call their 
attention to another class of plants well calculated for th^ 
windows of a house. 

I allude to the many beautiful varieties of the Chinese 
Chrysanthemum ; these are frequently cultivated in pots, 
and may be taken from the ground and put into pots, erven 
when in full flower, without injury, and when the bloom ia 
over, returned to the garden. In the spring following they 
will throw up an abundance of suckers, 

9* 



102 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



The following list contains some of the best varieties of 
the Chrysanthemum, and are entitled to a place in e very- 
flower garden. In October and November, when the wan- 
ing year has left our gardens comparatively cheerless, these, 
with their various colours, deck them out in gayety, and pro- 
long the semblance of summer. They are perfectly hardy, 
and will brave our severest winters. 



The gold bordered red : 
the petals are red, 
striped with golden 
yellow. 

White quilled. 

Pale butf, or orange. 

Changeable, rti and 
oratif^e nn same plant. 

Lilac quilled. 

Rose-coloured, or pink. 

Lilac and white,- change 
able, the flowers vary 
to lilac, to white with 
a purple centre, am! 
to pure ivhite. 

Dark crimson, or Span 
ish brown. 

Straw coloured quilled. 

Golden yellow. 

.Tasselled white. 



Semi-double quilled do. 
Paper white. 
Quilled li;?ht purple. 
Kxpanded do. do. 
Quilled yellow. 
Double Indian yellow. 
Double Indian white. 
Dark purple. 
Early blush, 
(iolden Lotus. 
Quilled purple. 
Starry purple. 
■ 'ark's small yellow,j^?ze 
Quilled salmon. 
Semi-double qu 'led. 
Pale oraniie. 
Two-coloured red. 
Curled buiF, or salmon. 
Large lilac. 
Late pale purple. 



Quilled fine yellow. 

Sulphur do. 

superb clustered do. 

Small do. 

single flame yellow. 

Quilled pink. 

Quilled orange. 

Karly crimson. 

Curled lilac. 

Two-coloured incurved. 

Blush ranunculus. 

Late quilled purple. 

Tasselled lila\ 

Tasselled yellow. 

Yellow waratah. 

Pa!e lilac. 

Large bufif, superb. 

Barclay's. 

Alton's. 

Sabine's. 



Chrysanthemums may be propagated from hardy cut- 
tings, and each plant will produce several suckers, which 
may be separated every spring. As the flowers are liable 
to be injured by the rain in autumn, it is advisable to take 
iip a few plants, and place them in a light room or green- 
house, which will preserve them for some time. 

Many people keep their late blooming plants in the house 
through the winter ; this is a bad practice, as the heat and 
want of air will exhaust or destroy the plants altogether. If 
the flowers fade before hard frost prevails, it is best either to 
plunge the pots into the ground with the plants, or to turn 
them out of the pots and plant them, with the balls of earth 
entire, into the borders of the flower garden. 

Early in May, such as may be intended for potting the 
ensuing season should be divided at the roots, if not potted. 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 103 

and planted, each kind by itself. One single stem is suffi- 
cient for a moderate sized pot, if the object be to have bushy 
plants ; but if showy plants are desired, one of each of the 
varied colours may be selected for each pot, which should be 
sufficiently capacious to hold them without crowding them, 
as this will cause the plants to grow weak and slender. If 
such happens eaily in the summer, a stocky e^rowth may be 
produced by clipping the tops, and they will bloom in great 
perfection in their usual season. 



INTRODUCTION TO THE CATALOGUE OF 
GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

To promote brevity and avoid tautology, I here submit 
the following statement : 

That the directions accompanying our catalogue of An- 
nual, Biennial, and Perennial Flower Seed, will apply to 
such plants in the green-house department as are ordinarily 
raised from seed. 

That the directions annexed to the catalogue of Flower- 
ing and Ornamental Shrubs, including propagation by cut- 
tings, layers, &c., are applicable to a great portion of the 
plants hereinafter described, and that the exceptions are 
shown in the monthly calendar. 

That such Bulbous roots as are generally embraced in 
green-house catalogues, from their being adapted to artificial 
culture, have been already treated of, under each head, iu 
numerous articles ; to which the reader is referred. I^^ 

That, with the exception of hot-house plants, which re- 
quire a uniformly warm climate to perpetuate their exis- 
tence, all such other tender and half-hardy plants as need 
protection in winter, may come under the denomination of 
green-house plants ; some species however, may, notwith- 
standing, be preserved in frames, pits, cellars, or warm 
rooms. 



•104 CATALOGUE OP GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

That many of those species designated thus § and thus f 
in our first two catalogues, are of such description ; and as 
they have been treated of in the chapters thereto annexed, 
the following catalogue and explication will be necessarily 
"brief, when compared with one general catalogue of exotic 
plants. 



DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 

Acacia. Of this and the Mimosa, which are by some con- 
sidered as one genus, there are upward of a hundred spe- 
cies and varieties, suited for artificial culture. The blossoms, 
which are generally straw colour and yellow, except the most 
tender, some of which are crimson, succeed each other from 
February to June. 

Agapanthus. A beautiful species of Lily, producing large 
blue flowers from Apiil to June ; some varieties have striped 
leaves and delicate white blossoms. 

Aloe. Of this genus there are numerous species and va- 
rieties, some of which are very curious, being possessed of 
all the varied forms and figures peculiar to succulent plants. 
Some species flower annually from March to September, 
and all, except the Century Aloe, blossom frequently ; the 
colours are generally yellow, pink, and red. The singular 
figure and habits of these plants render them desirable for 
green-house culture. 

AlstrcEmeria. Of this genus of plants there are several 
species, which have tuberous roots. The flowers of the va- 
rieties are of different shades, as rose coloured, scarlet, yel- 
low, red, &c. ; and some are variegated, as the Alstr^meria 
psittacina, which is red, yellow, and green, and the A. tri- 
color, which is black, white, and yellow. They are beauti- 
ful plants when kept in good order. 

Arbutus, European Strawberry Tree. A half-hardy ever- 
green shrub, of which there are several species and varie- 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 105 

ties, producing crimson and pink blossoms, and fruit which 
remain on the plant a considerable time. 

Ardesia, Chinese Ardesia. This is generally cultivated 
as a hot-house plant; and if kept in the green-house, should 
be placed in a warm situation. There are several species, 
producing oblong shining leaves, pink flowers, and red ber- 
ries, which are very ornamental. 

Aster argophylhis, Musk Plant. A plant of no great 
beauty, but esteemed by some for its musky fragrance; 
leaves ovate, lanceolate, and silky beneath. 

Aucuba Japonica. A half-hardy shrub, with pale green 
leaves spotted with yellow. It produces small purple blos- 
soms, but is desirable for its foliage only : to preserve which 
in good condition, shade in the summer is absolutely ne- 
cessary. 

Azalia. The Chinese species of Azalia are numerous 
and beautiful, producing blossoms of various hues, as white, 
purple, scarlet, yellow, &c., and some are striped and spot- 
ted, which succeed each other from February to May, under 
good cultivation.* 

Banksia. A genus of plants named in honour of Sir 
Joseph Banks, of which there are over twenty species, all 
curious in flower, and variable in foliage ; colours, yellow 
and green. They generally blossom from May to August. 

Beaufortia, There are two species of this beautiful shrub, 
yielding scarlet and pink flowers from the sides of their 
stalks, from May to July. 

Bellis perennis. Daisy. This half-hardy dwarf species, of 
which there are several varieties, as recorded in our Peren- 
nial Catalogue, are worthy of faither notice, from their yield- 

* A skilful florist, Mr. William Russell, has some hybrids which he 
raised, by crosses between the different species of Azalias and Rhododen- 
drons, both of the hardy and choicest green-house varieties. He has 
already flowered several plants which partake of the Rhododendron in 
the umbels, and embrace all the good qualities of the Azalia. He intends 
to propagate these rare plants for sale, at his establishment, in Brooklyn, 
Long Island. 



106 CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

ing thousands of buttrm-formed flowers from January to July, 
or until checked by the summer heat, from which they should 
be screened, by being planted in a shaded bcn'der in the 
spring. The colours are white, red, and variegated, and 
some, called Hen and Chicken Daisies, grow in clusters. 

Bldia Tankervilli. A delicate plant, producing spikes of 
purple flowers, similar to the Hyacinth, from April to July. 

Bouvardia. Mexican Bouvardia. A beautiful plant, pro- 
ducing brilliant scarlet flowers from May to September, when 
carefully cultivated. 

Baronia. There are several species of this plant, natives 
of New Holland; the flowers of some are star-like, rose- 
coloured, and sweet-scented ; in perfection in April and May. 

Bruiiia. -This species of plants have foliage similar to the 
Erica, but the leaves are three-cornered ; the plants when 
young are very handsome. Bniuia nodijiora produces chaste 
white globular flowers in abundance. There are several other 
varieties highly esteemed by amateurs. 

Bruusvif^ia Josephince. This cape bulb produces splendid 
rose-coloured flowers in' large umbels, on a stem about two 
feet high. There are several other species, some of which 
produce scarlet, others purple, and variegated blossoms, in 
perfection, when cultivated in a warm green-house. 

Buddlea madagascariensis. This plant, when properly 
cultivated, will blossom freely during winter, producing 
spikes of orange-coloured flowers, of an agreeable fiagrance. 

Buonapartea juncea. This is a curious low-growing plant, 
with long narrow leaves, and spikes of small blue flowers, 
which, when cultivated in a warm situation, will continue 
sometime in bloom. 

Biu'chellia. A dwarf evergreen shrub, producing orange- 
coloured flowers in large terminal clusters, from March to 
June. 

Cactus. Of this family of plants there are numerous 
species, supposed to be of different genera, from the varia- 
tion of their character and habits. Some are denominated 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 107 

Cereus, otliers Epiphyllums, Mamillarias, etc. The night 
blooming Cereus is much celebrated. They all belong to the 
hot-house, but succeed v^cW in a warm room or good green- 
house. Some are formed into erect pyramids, others are of 
a trailing habit ; and all produce from the sides of their suc- 
culent stalks and leaves, beautiful crimson, scarlet, white., or 
pink flowers, from March to August. 

Calceolaria. Of this species of delicate dwarf plants, 
there are several splendid varieties annually raised from 
seed ; producing red, yellow, and orange-coloured flowers 
from April to August, when shaded from the noonday sun ; 
they will otherwise suffer from heat. 

Caloihammis. A beautiful evergreen shrub, similar to a 
dwarf pine, producing scarlet blossoms from the old wood, 
from Apiil to November. 

Callicouia sen-niifolia. A beautiful plant, producing tufted 
yellow heads of flowers from May to July. 

Camellia. Of this admired winter-blooming genus of 
plants, there are several distinct species, the varieties from 
many of which multiply annually. Its durable glossy foliage, 
and splendid flowers, which excel those of any other plant, 
will insure it a pre-eminence in every green-house ; as in 
good collections, flowers of various hues may be gathered 
from October to May. 

Cheiranlhus. Under this title have been generally em- 
braced all those fragiant and beautiful half-hardy species of 
Biennial Plants known as Wall and Gilly Flowers ; the lat- 
ter species is now, however, denominated Mathiola in our 
catalogues. The beautiful blossoms and delicious fragrance 
of these families, from February to June, entitle them to 
more than a passing notice. Their perfumes are exquisite. 

Cineraria cruenia. Canary Aster. A dwarf half-shrubby 
plant, producing purple flowers in April and May. 

Cineraria maritima. Silvery-leaved Ragwort, or Powdered 
Beau. A white plant, pioducing bright yellow globular 
flowers from April to June or July. 



lOS CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

Cistus. Rock Rose. A half-hardy dwarf shrub, of which 
there are upward of twenty species, natives of Europe ; the 
flowers, which are white and purple, multiply abundantly in 
May and June. 

Citrus. Orange, Lemon, &c. This genus embraces the 
Orange, Lemon, Lime, Shaddock, &c., of each of which 
there are several varieties. They are indispensable in a good 
green-house, for their handsome evergreen foliage, and odor- 
iferous blossoms, and beautiful golden fruit, which by careful 
cultivation may be kept constantly on the plants. Those 
varieties with variegated, yellow, and green foliage, are very 
generally admired. 

Clethra arborea variegata. A fine sweet-scented shrub, 
producing spikes of white downy blossoms ; the leaves are 
oblong and serrated, having a gold-coloured edge. 

Correa. A genus of dwarf shrubby plants, consisting of 
several species, producing their orange, white, red, and green 
blossoms frequently in the winter, and sometimes in May or 
June. 

CoroniUa glauca. A desirable green-house dwarf shrub, 
yielding numerous sweet-scented yellow flowers in clusters, 
from January to April. There are other varieties which 
blossom in summer. 

Cotyledon orbiculata. Cape Navelwort. A succulent plant, 
producing finger-like suckers and successional joints, which 
blossom annually ; the cuiiosity of the foliage, however, is 
its chief recommendation. 

Crassula. A species of dwarf succulent plants, producing 
scarlet and variegated wax-like flowers from April to June 
or July. 

Crinum amabile. A large beautiful flowering bulb, of 
which there are several species, chiefly calculated for hot- 
house culture, where some varieties frequently yield three 
stems of beautiful crimson, purple, or white flowers in a 
year. 

Cypripedhim insignis. This species is known by the name 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 109 

of Lady's Slipper plant ; the flowers, which are green and 
purple, have a waxy appearance, and are similar in shape 
to an Indian shoe. It should be cultivated in a warm, moist 
situation. 

Daphne odora. A beautiful dwarf evergreen shrub, yield- 
ing white fragrant blossoms in many-flowered terminal heads, 
from December to March. There are other species and 
varieties, one of which has its leaves edged with yellow. 

Dianthus. Under this name are embraced the admirable 
species of Carnations, Picotees, Pinks, Sweet Williams, &c., 
recorded in our catalogue of Perennials ; and which are in 
universal esteem for the fragrance and beauty of their flow- 
ers, which succeed each other from May to August. They 
are all hardy, except the Carnation and Picotee tiibes, which 
are well deserving green-house or frame culture. 

Diosma. A dwarf genus of heath-leaved shrubs, producing 
numerous small flowers of a white colour from March to 
May. Some of the varieties are sweet-scented. 

Dryandrus. To this genus belong several species, similar 
to the Banksias ; they are delicate plants, producing orange 
and straw coloured thistle-like flowers in abundance. 

Eclieveria. This genus of succulent plants are natives of 
Mexico and California. Some of the species produce green 
and red blossoms ; the flowers of the variety pidvemhnia are 
red, and the foliage is covered with powder, which gives it a 
beautiful appearance. 

Epacris. This is a native of New South AVales, of which 
there are several species, mostly erect-growing plants, vary- 
inor from two to four feet; the leaves are small, and the 
blossoms, which, in different varieties, are crimson, pink, 
purple, and white, are, under good cultivation, abundant trom 
January to June. 

Eraniliemum, This species belong to the hot-house, and 
will not flower in perfection without plenty of heat. The 
Eranthemum pulchellum produces flowers of a fine blue colour 
from December to April ; and the Eranthenmm bicolor will 

10 



110 CATALOGUE OF GHEEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

yield purple and white flowers from April to August, under 
good cultivation. 

Erica, Heath. Upward of five hundred species and vaiie- 
ties of this plant are cultivated in Great Britain, where a 
continued succession of blonm is kept up from January to 
December ; the most prominent colours are white, scarlet, 
purple, yellow, and red. They are desirable plants to culti- 
vate in any country, as they furnish material for the bouquet 
in winter, but they must be screened fjom the noonday sun 
in summer, and only moderately watered ; as extremes of 
drought or moisture are destructive to this family of plants. 

Kryilirina, Coral plant. There are several species of this 
plant, chiefly adapted to the hot-house, producing long spikes 
of crimson or scarlet flowers. Some keep them in good 
condition in a green-house ; they must, however, be well 
attended to, and frequently re-potted, which will sometimes 
induce them to bloom two or three times in a year. 

Escalloiiia. There are several species of this plant, 
some of which will survive the winters of our Southern 
States. When cultivated in a green-house as half-hardy 
shiubs, they yield their red, white, and pink flowers through- 
out a long season. 

Enoiiy.'iius. This plant is called by some the variegated 
Camellia ; the flowers are not very showy, but the silvery 
and golden edged foliage of the different varieties, render 
them very attractive. They are natives of China. 

Euphorbia. There are several species of this plant adapted 
to the green-house, some of which are beautiful, especially 
the E. splcndens, and Poinsett's scarlet, or Euphorbia Poin- 
seiti. They flower freely from December to May, if kept in 
a warm pait of the house. 

Enpatorium eleo-ans. A dwarf plant, producing white 
sweet-scented flowers early in the spring ; to promote bushi- 
ness, the plant, after blossoming, should be cl )sely pruned. 

Etila.ria myrtifolia. A beautiful little evergreen shrub ; 
foliage small, but very neat, furnishing numerous red and 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN'-HOUSE PLANTS. Ill 

yellow-coloured blossoms from March to May, under good 
culture. 

Fictis elastic a, India-rubber tree, and Ficiis australis, are 
both evergreen plants, and grow luxuriantly in a green- 
house ; the foUage, which is large and glossy, is pink on the 
under side. 

Ficus, Fig Tree. A plant easily cultivated, of which 
there are many species and varieties, which, kept in pots or 
tubs, in a temperature adapted to the Orange tree, will fruit 
freely, and ripen two crops a year. 

Fuchsia, Lady's Ear-drop. Of this beautiful shrub there 
are several varieties, producing clusters of small scarlet 
flowers, the stamens of which are encircled with a petal of 
purple ; in bloom from April to September. 

Gardenia, Cape Jasmine. A very popular evergreen 
plant, producing white fragrant rose-like flowers from May 
to August. There are several species and varieties, some 
of which are more dwarfish than others, but all are desirable. 

Gelsemium niiidum, Carolina Jasmine. A beautiful climb- 
ing evergreen, producing in the month of May large yellow 
trumpet-like blossoms, of delicious fragrance. 

Gloxinia. A desirable herbaceous plant, of which there 
are several varieties, yielding beautiful showy flowers; 
colours, blue, lilac, and white. 

Gnapalium, Everlasting Flower. Of this plant there are 
several species or varieties, some of which yield clusters of 
yellow flowers, and others red, from March to June. 

Gnidia, Flax-leaved Gnidia. A dwarf shrub, of which 
there are several varieties, furnishing pretty tubular and 
corymbose straw-coloured flowers in the winter and spring. 

Grevillea. There are several species of this evergreen 
dwarf shrub, which are very handsome in flower and foliage. 
The flowers of some grow in racemose spikes, and of others 
on flowering branches ; the colours are white, rose, green, 
and straw or light yellow. They yield seed, and are easily 
cultivated. 



112 CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

/ Heliotr opium, Peruvian Heliotrope. A species of soft 
shrubby dwarf plants, which, when cultivated in a warm 
situation, will yield abundance of delicate blue or purple 
flowers from January to September. 

Helychrysum, Eternal Flower. There are several species 
and varieties of this plant, producing soft downy foliage and 
durable flowers, which, if cut before they are too far advanced, 
vidll retain their splendour several years. 

Hibberiia. A species of climbing evergreen shrubs, which 
yield fine yellow flowers in succession from May to Septem- 
ber, under good culture. 

Hibiscus Chinensis. This half-hardy herbaceous plant is 
worthy of a place in the green-house, as some species will 
yield flowers six inches in diameter, if well attended to and 
frequently watered ; the colours are crimson and blush. 

Hovea. This is a pea-flowering evergi^een shrub, of which 
there are several species, natives of New South Wales. The 
Hovea celsii is a beautiful runner, yielding numerous blue 
flowers. 

Hoya, Wax Plant. A fine -climbing species, adapted to 
the hot-house ; the leaves being succulent, green, and fleshy, 
they require considerable heat and but little water. Some 
produce pink flowers, and others white, in April and May. 

Hydrangea Jiortensis. The Hydrangea is a well-known 
deciduous, half-hardy, soft-wooded shrub, producing large 
pink balls of blossom, when cultivated in a shaded border, 
from May to October ; and by mixing iron dust from a 
blacksmith's shop with the soil, or by growing the plants in 
swamp earth, or mould from decayed leaves, the flowers 
will become blue, 

Hypericum, St. John's Wort. A half-hardy little plant, 
producing yellow flowers from April to June. There are 
several species, some producing scarlet blossoms. 

Illicum, Aniseed Tree. A dwarf species of shrub, the 
leaves of which, when rubbed, smell like anise ; some pro- 
duce red, and others yellow flowers, in March and April. 



CATALOGUE OP GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 113 

Indigofera, Indigo Tree. A free flowering shrub, of which 
there are several species ; the flowers, which grow in long 
pinnacles, are red, yellow, and pink. 

Jacarandns. A genus of evergreen shrubs, of easy cul- 
ture, containing five species, most of which produce blue or 
purple flowers, on loose branching pannicles, in abundance. 

Jambosa vulgaris. This species of evergreen shrub is 
generally called Rose Apple, from its producing rose-scented 
fruit, which is about an inch in diameter, and eatable. There 
are several varieties, yielding either white, rose, green, or 
straw-coloured flowers in erect spreading stamens. They 
are of easy culture. 

Jasmimmi, Jasmine. Of this favourite genus there are 
several species, of various complexions. The Catalonian 
Jasmine, or J. grandijiorwn, produces white fragiant blos- 
soms in winter; the Indian Jasmine, or J. odoratissimum^ 
and also the J. revoluium, yield very sweet-scented yellow 
flowers from April to June, and the J. officinale, a climbing 
plant, blossoms through the summer. 

Justicia. The plants of this genus are generally cultiva- 
ted in the hot-house ; some produce scarlet flowers in large 
terminale spikes, from December to March, and others 
purple. 

Kennedia. A beautiful evergreen climber, of which there 
are several species, producing blossoms of various hues, as 
scarlet, blue, crimson, and purple, from February to June. 

LagerstrcEmia. A half-hardy deciduous plant, the roots 
of which, if planted in the garden in March, will produce 
large spikes of red flowers, from May to August. 

Laniana. A genus of dwarf shrubs, which being culti- 
vated in the hot-house, or a warm green-house, will yield 
their blossoms in April and May; the species are of va- 
rious colours ; yellow, orange, pink, white, purple, and va- 
riable. 

Laurus nobilis. Laurel. This evergreen shrub is by some 
esteemed for its fragiant leaves ; there are several species 

10* 



114 CATALOGUE OP GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

distinguished as sweet bay, royal bay, &c., and some species 
are without scent. 

Laveuchda, Lavender. A species of soft-wooded, half- 
hardy plants with narrow, scented leaves, yielding spikes of 
fragrant blue flowers in May and June. 

LecheiiGultia formosa. A dwarf plant with heath-like 
foliage and bright scarlet blossoms ; in bloom a long season, 
under good culture. 

Leptospermum. This genus is somewhat celebrated from 
the leaves of the species L. scoparium being used by the 
crew of Captain Cook's ship as a substitute for Tea, the 
leaves having an agreeable bitter flavour ; the blossoms, 
which are small, are white. 

Lencadendron, Silver Tree. A neat evergreen shrub with 
silver-like foliage, of which there are several species, all 
admirable for their beauty. 

Limim, Flax. Two species of this plant are worthy of 
cultivation in a green-house, where they will bloom in Feb- 
ruary and March. The Linnm tris:;ynum produces large yel- 
low flowers in clusters, and Linmn ascyrij'olium yields spikes 
of blue and white flowers, which are similar to those of the 
Convolvulus. 

Lobelia. There are several species of this plant, which 
are generally herbaceous ; they produce an abundance of 
little flowers of brilliant colours. The Lobelia criniis is a 
pretty trailing plant, yielding numerous blue flowers all the 
summer. 

Lychnis covonaia, Coronet-flowered Lychnis. This half- 
hardy plant, embraced in our catalogue of Perennials, is 
worthy of protection, from its furnishing trusses of beautiful 
orange scarlet flowers, from June to August. As it yields 
no seed, the roots should be taken from the ground in 
autumn, and returned the ensuing spring. 

Magnolia. Most of the species of this justly-admired 
genus are hardy, and blossom in the summer; there are, 
however, some of the Chinese varieties, which, cultivated 



CATALOGUE OP GREEN-IIOUSE PLANTS. 115 

in a green-house, will produce their beautiful purple, yel* 
low, and white blossoms, from January to April. 

Melaleucas. A beautiful genus of plants, natives of New 
Holland ; the divei sity of their foliage and singularity of 
flowers, some of which are scarlet, and shoot fr(>m the 
wood like fringes, render them worthy of good cultiva- 
tion. 

JMenetiia. This is a desirable climber, of which. there 
are several species ; some produce variegated flowers, otheis 
bright scarlet, and the variety cordijiora is curious as well 
as beautiful. 

Mesembryanthemnm. A genus of succulent plants, con- 
sisting of hundreds of species and varieties, chiefly natives 
of the Cape of Good Ho{)e. They vaiy greatly in their 
forms, attitudes, and habits of growth ; some are upright, 
others procumbent ; some are thick, others cimeter or slen- 
der-leaved. They are all singular, and many of them beau- 
tiful. The colours of the flowers, which are of every shade, 
are great ornaments from May to August ; some species and 
varieties are cultivated as annuals in the flower garden, 
where they prove a great acquisition. 

Metrosideros. A genus of Australasian shrubs, some spe- 
cies of which are willow and others spear-leaved, producing 
their cones of scarlet or white flowers from March to May. 

Myrlns, Myrtle. A genus of dwarf evergreen shrubs, 
of which there are several species and varieties ; the foliage 
is chiefly glossy and fragrant, yielding numerous small flow- 
ers. There are some species known as Cape Myrtles, or 
Marsines, which also yield abundance of white and purple 
flowers fiom March to May. 

Nandina domesiica, Japan Nandina. A half-hardy ever- 
green shrub ; leaves supra-decompound, with entire lanceo- 
late leaflets ; a kind of fohage that is very rare. 

JVerinm, Oleander. A well-known and admired shrub, 
yielding clusters of rose-like flowers from May tf» Septem- 
ber. The J\*ermm sptendens is the most esteemed of the red 



116 CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

varieties ; the true double white and striped are very rare ; 
but some of those cultivated .for sale, producing semi-double 
flowers, are by no means desirable. 

Oka fr^igrance, Dwarf Olive. This variety of the Olive 
recommends itself to notice, for its dwarf habit of growth, 
and from the foliage and white blossoms being highly odo- 
riferous ; from March to May. 

Passiflora, Passion flower. Of this celebrated genus of 
climbing plants, there are several species and varieties, 
which produce splendid flowers of various colours, red, blue, 
white, purple, scarlet, &:c., beautifully contrasted, and some 
species yield fruit. They generally blossom from May to 
September, and some will flower in the hot-house in winter. 

Pelargonium, Geranium. The species and varieties of 
this beautiful genus is supposed to exceed a thousand, which 
are of every character, colour, and lineament, and some so 
beautifully blended as to astonish the beholder; the agree- 
able fragrance also, of which many of them are possessed, 
will always render them favourites to amateur florists. The 
best blooming season is from April to June, or July. 

Piitosporum. A Chinese evergreen shrub, with handsome 
glossy foliage, yielding numerous white clusters of flowers 
in April and May, which are of delicious fragrance. There 
are several species, one of which is variegated. 

Plumbago capensis, Cape Plumbago. A beautiful dwarf 
plant, with oblong leaves, yielding numerous spikes of showy 
blue flowers nearly all the summer. 

Polygata cordati, Heart-shaped Polygata. A beautiful 
little plant, producing abundance of rich purple flowers 
nearly all the winter. 

Protea, A beautiful race of plants, the foliage of which 
is very diversified, and the flowers also ; being red, white, 
straw, brown, green, and purple, and most of these colours 
are frequently to be seen on the same plant ; in flower from 
March to June. 

Primula. In this genus are embraced all the varieties of 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 117 

the Primrose, Polyanthus, Auricula, Cowslip, Oxlip, &c., 
already inserted in our Biennial and Perennial catalogues. 
The flowers, which appear early in spring, are mostly sweet- 
scented, and of various colours, red, white, yellow, lilac, 
purple, crimson, &c., which in some are beautifully varie- 
gated. The above are natives of England ; besides which 
are two varieties, white and pink, natives of China, produ- 
cing umbels of flowers from January to May. 

PyrvrS Japonica alba, or Cydonia Japonica. One of the 
earliest flowering dwarf shrubs of the garden, producing 
beautiful blush fl(jwers ; there is another variety, which pro- 
duces scarlet blossoms, already described in our catalogue 
of shrubs. 

Reseda, Mignonette. This fragrant little plant has been 
already treated of as an annual ; it may, however, be kept 
under cultivation from January to December, by sowing 
seed at different seasons in a green-house or warm room. 

Rhododendron, Rose Bay. A beautiful genus of plants, 
chiefly natives of India, furnishing clusters of flowers of 
various shades, as purple, scarlet, or crimson, and these va- 
riegated in spots and flakes ; in flower from March to May. 

Rosea, Rose. This Queen of Flowers, so universally ad- 
mired, nature seems to have distributed over the whole 
civilized world ; and varieties have been so multiplied of 
late years, as to render it difficult to make a judicious choice j 
many of the new varieties, however, being shy bloomers, 
are not so desirable for green-house culture as the common 
China Rose, a select assortment of which, carefully culti- 
vated, will produce blossoms from January to December. 

Rosmarinus, Rosemary. A fragrant, half-hardy, slender- 
leaved plant, which has been held in great esteem for ages. 
In some parts of Europe it is customary to distribute sprigs 
among the guests at weddings and funerals. 

Ruella. A desirable plant, of which there are several 
species ; they produce purple or scarlet tunnel-shaped flow- 
ers from December to March. 



118 CATALOGUE OP GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 

Salvia, Mexican Sage. A free-blooming plant, produ- 
cing in the different species, scarlet and blue flowers in 
spiked whorls ; cuttings of which, if taken from stock plants 
in the green house early in spring, and planted in good gar- 
den soil, will embellish the borders three or four months of 
the summer. 

Sempervivwn arhoreum, Tree House Leek. A succulent 
plant, similar to the common house leek, on a dwarfish stem ; 
by some admired as an evergreen. 

Siapelia. A genus of dwarf succulent plants, producing 
beautiful purple, striped, freckled, and star-like flowers, 
within six inches of the surface ; in its varieties from May to 
November. 

Stevia serrata, Vanilla-scented Stevia. This plant, al- 
though usually cultivated as an annual, is worthy of green- 
house culture, from its affording fragrant and ornamental 
materials for bouquets the whole winter. 

Slrelitzia regina, Queen's Strelitz. A beautiful dwarf 
plant, producing from a stalk from one to two feet long, 
several flowers of a bright yellow, contrasted w^ith blue, from 
May to September. 

Tecoma capensis. A perennial plant, producing orange- 
coloured trumpet flowers in clusters, very similar to the 
Bigonia tribe, toward the end of summer. 

Thea, Tea. Of this celebrated Chinese plant, which sup- 
plies a great portion of the human family with their domes- 
tic beverage, there are two varieties, Thea vivdis and Thea 
bohea. The plants, when cultivated in a green-house, are 
by no means of rapid growth, nor are the flowers, which are 
white, of any great beauty, 

Tussilago fragrance. A half-hardy herbaceous Perennial 
plant, by some much esteemed for its heliotrope-scented 
blossoms, which spring up in clusters from December to 
March. 

Vtrhcna inphyllo, named in some catalogues .Rloysa citri- 
odora. A deciduous shrub, geneially admired for the fra- 



CATALOGUE OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 119 

grance of its leaves, which is its chief recommendation, the 
blossoms, which are white, being small. 

Verbena, Splendid Verbena. A tribe of plants increasing 
in variety annually, and which already embrace every shade 
of colour, scarlet, blue, rose, lilac, white, pink, &c. Planted 
in the flower borders, they impart beauty and variety through 
the summer, and cultivated in the green-house, they embel- 
lish it a great part of the winter. 

Viburnum tinus, Laurustinus. A much-admired half- 
hardy evergreen shrub, producing clusters of white blos- 
soms from January to May. There are other species very 
similar in habit, and one with striped leaves. 

Viola, Violet. Of these beauties of the garden, some of 
which are denominated '* Florist's Flowers," there are up- 
ward of a hundred species and varieties. The early Violets 
are highly fragrant, and the variety and beauty of the Pan- 
sey tribe almost exceed description or conception. As these 
splendid dwarf plants decorate the green-house and flower 
borders fix)m January to December, they are worthy of care- 
ful cultivation. 

Yucca aloe-folia, and its beautiful variety, variegata, are 
desirable plants to cultivate, from their singular appearance, 
contrasted with other plants. Their blossoms, which are 
white, grow in spikes, but the plants do not flower much 
until several years old. 



The following invaluable compendium is from the pen of 
John Lindley, F. R. S., Professor of Botany in the Univer- 
sity of London, and Associate Secretary of the Horticultural 
Society, &c. &c. As this outline embraces the very essence 
of Horticulture and Floriculture, it is well adapted as an 
appendage to this department of the work. 



120 



AN OUTLINE 



FIRST PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE. 



I. Genreral Nature op Plants. • 

1. Horticulture is the application of the arts of cultivation, multipli- 
cation, and domestication to the vegetable kingdom. Agriculture and 
Arboriculture are branches of Horticulture. 

2. The vegetable kingdom is composed of living beings, destitute of sensa- 
tion, with no power of moving spontaneously from place to place, and 
called plants. 

3. Plants are organized bodies, consisting of masses of tissue that is per- 
meable by fluids or gaseous matter. 

4. Vegetable tissue consists either of minute bladders, or tubes adhering 
by their contiguous surfaces, and leaving intermediate passages where they 
do not touch. 

5. Tissue is called Cellular when it is composed of minute bladders, 
which either approach the figure of a sphere, or are obviously some modi- 
fication of it, supposed to be caused by extension or lateral compression. 

6. When newly formed it is in a very lax state, and possesses great powers 
of absorption ; probably on account of the excessive permeability of its 
membrane, and the imperfect cohesion of its cells. 

7. Cellular tispue, otherwise called Parenchyma, constitute the soft and 
brittle parts of plants; such as pith, pulp, the Spaces between the veins of 
leaves, the principal part of the petals, and the like. 

S. Succulent plants are such as have an excessive developement of cel- 
lular tissue. 

9. It may be considered the most essential kind of tissue, because, while 
no plants exist without it, many are composed of nothing else. 

10. Tissue is called Woody Fibre when it is composed of slender tubes, 
which are conical and closed at each end, and placed side by side. 

1 1. Woody fibre is what causes stiffness and tenacity in certain parts of 
plants ; hence it is found in the veins of leaves, and in bark, and it con- 
stitutes the principal part of the wood. 

12. Vascular Tissue is that in which either an elastic tough thread is 
generated spirally within a tube that is closed and conical at each end; or 
rows of cylindrical cellules, placed end to end, finally become continuous 
tubes by the loss of their enis. 

13. The most remarkable form of vascular tissue is the Spiral Vessel, 
which has the power of rolling with elasticity when stretched. 



ROOT. 121 

1 4. Other kinds of vascular tissue are incapable of unrolling, but break 
when stretched. 

15. vSpiral vessels are not found in the wood or bark, and rarely in the 
roots of plants. 

16. Vascular tissue of other kinds is confined to the root, stem, veins of 
leaves, petals, and other parts composed of leaves. It is not found in bark. 

17. The conmion office of the tissue is to convey fluid or air, and to act 
as the receptacle of secretions. 

18. Cellular tissue conveys fluids in all directions, absorbs with great 
rapidity, is the first cause of the adhesions that take place between con- 
tiguous parts, and is the principal receptacle of secreted matter. 

19. Adhesion will take place at all times during the growing season, 
when the cellular tissues of two different parts, or of two different plants, 
is kept for some time in contact ; but as none but tissues of nearly the 
same nature will adhere, grafting and budding, which are caused by the 
adhesion of contiguous parts, can only take place either between different 
varieties of the same species, or between nearly related species ; and even 
then only when the corresponding parts of the scion or bud, and the stock, 
are placed in contact. 

20. Woody fibre conveys fluid in the direction of its length, gives stiff- 
ness and flexibility to the general system, and acts as a protection to spiral 
and other delicate vessels. 

21. Spiral vessels cojivey oxygenated air. 

22. Other vessels probably conduct fluid when young, and air when old- 

23. As the bodies of wliich all tissue is composed are perfectly simple, 
unbranched, and regular in fi;iure, having, when elongated, their two extremi- 
ties exactly alike, they are more or less capable of conveying gaseous mat- 
ter or fluids in any direction ; and, consequently a current may be reversed 
in them without inconvenience : hence inverted cuttings or stems will grow. 

24. All parts of plants are composed of tissue, whether they be soft, as 
pulp ; or hard, as the bony lining of a peach. 

25. With regard to Horticultural operations, the parts of plants should 
be considered under the heads of Root (II.) ; Stem (111.); Leaf Buds 
(IV.); Leaves (V.); Flawers (VI.); Sexes (VII.); Fruit (VIII.); and 
Seed (IX). 

II. Root. 

26. The Root is the part that strikes into the earth when a seed begins 
to germinate, and which afterward continues to lengthen beneath the soil. 

27. It is also the part which is sometimes emitted by the stem, for the 
purpose of absorbing nutriment from the atmosphere : as in Ivy, Air- 
Plants, Vines, &c. 

28. It is distinguished from the stem by the absence of leaves in any 
state, of regular leaf-buds (IV.); of evaporating pores or stomata (131)$ 
and of pith in Exogenous plants. 

29. Therefore, such underground bodies as those called Tuber (61) in 
the Potato ; Bulb (96) in the Onion; and solid Bulb or Coruius (61) in 
the Crocus, are not roots. 

30. The office of the root is to absorb food in a fluid or gaseous state; 
and also to fix the plant in the soil, or to some firm support. 

11 



122 ROOT. 

31. The latter office is essential to the certain and regular performance 
of the former. 

32. It is not by the whole of their surface that roots absorb food ; but 
only by their young and newly formed extremities, called Spnngwles. 

33. Hence the preservation of the spongioles in an uninjured state is 
essential to the removal of a plant from one place to another. 

34. A Spongiole consists of very young vascular tissue (12) surrounded 
by very young cellular substance (5). 

35. It is therefore one of the most delicate parts of plants, and the most 
easily injured. 

36. Hence whatever is known to produce any specific deleterious action 
upon leaves or stems, such as certain gases (298) and mineral or vegetable 
poisons, will produce a much more fatal effect upon the spongioles. 

37. These organs have no power of selecting their food, but will absorb 
whatever the earth or air may contain, which is sufficiently fluid to pass 
through the sides of their tissue. 

38. So that if the spongioles are developed in a medium which is of an 
unsuitable nature, as they will still continue to absorb, they cannot fail to 
introduce matter which will prove either injurious or fatal to life, accord- 
ing to its intensity. 

39. This may often explain why trees suddenly become unhealthy, with- 
out any external apparent cause. 

40. Plants have the power of replacing spongioles by the formation of 
new ones •, so that an individual is not destroyed by their loss. 

41. But this power depends upon the co-operation of the atmosphere, 
and upon the special vital powers of the species. 

42. If the atmosphere is so humid as to hinder evaporation, spongioles 
will have time to form anew ; but if the atmosphere is dry, the loss by 
evaporation will be so much greater than can be supplied by t/te injured 
roots, that the whole system will be emptied of fluid before the new spon- 
gioles can form. 

43. This is the key to Transplantation (XV.) 

44. As roots are destitute of leaf-buds (IV.), and as leaf-buds are essen- 
tial to the multiplication of an individual (108), it should follow tiiat roots 
can never be employed for the purpose of multiplication. 

45. Nevertheless, roots when woody have, occasionally, the power of 
generating adventitious leaf-buds (IV.) ; and when this is the case, they 
may be employed for the purpose of multiplication i as those of Cydonia 
Japonica, &c. 

46. The cause of this power existing in some species, and not in others, 
is unknown. 

47. It is therefore a power that can never be calculated upon, and whose 
existence is only to be discovered by accident. 

48. Although roots are generated under ground, and sometimes at con- 
eiderable depths, yet access to a certain quantity of atmospheric air appears 
indispensable to the healthy execution of their functions. This is con- 
stantly exemplified in plants growing in the earth at the back of an ill- 
venlilated forcing-house, where the roots have no means of finding their 
way into the earth on the outside of the house. 

49. It is supposed by some that the introduction of oxygen into their 
system is as indispensable to them as to animals. 



STEM. 123 

50. It seems more probable that the oxygen of the atmosphere, seizing 
upon a certiiin quantity of carbon, forais carbonic acid, which they absorb, 
and feed upon. 

51. It is at least certain that the exclusion of air from the roots will 
always induce an unhc^althy condition, or even death itself. This may be 
one of the reasons why stiff tenacious soils are seldom suited to the pur- 
poses of the cultivator, until their adhesiveness has been destoyed by the 
addition of other nratter. 

62. Spongioles secrete excrementitious matter, which is unsuitable to the 
same species afterward as food ; for poisonous substances are as fatal to the 
species that secrete them as to any oti;er species. 

53. I5ut to the other species the excrementitious matter is either not un- 
suitable, or not de!«^terious. 

54. Hence, soil may be rendered impure (or, as we inaccurately say, 
worn out) for one species, which will not be impure for others. 

55. This is the true key of the theory of rotation of crops. 

56. This also may serve to explain in part wliy light soil is indispensa- 
ble to many plants, and heavy or tenacious soil suita|||| to so few ; for in 
the former case the spongioles will meet with l;tt[e resistance to their elong- 
ation, and will consequently be continually leaving the place where their 
excrementitious matter is deposited j while in the latter case, the reverse 
will occur. 

III. Stem. 

57. The Stem is that part of a plant which is developed above ground, 
and winch took an upviard direction at the period of germination. 

58. It consists of a woody axis, covered by bark having stomata (131) 
on its surface, bearing leaves with leaf-buds, in their exilte, and producing 
flowers and fruit. ^, 

59. The points where leaves are borne are called Nodi; the spaces be- 
tween the leaves, are Internudia. 

60. The more erect a stem grows, the more vigorous it is ; and the more 
it deviates from this direction to a horizontal or pendulous position, the 
less is it vigorous. 

61. Some stems are developed under ground, such as the Tubers of the 
Potato and the Cormus of the Crocus ; but they are known from roots by 
the presence of leaves, and rpgular leaf-buds, upon their surface. 

62. Stems increase in diameter in two ways. 

63. Either by the addition of new matter to the outside of the wood 
and the inside of the bark ; when they are Exogenous ; ex. Oak. 

64. Or by the addition of new matter to their inside ; when they are 
Endogenous: ,• ex. Cane. 

65. In Exogenous stems, the central portion, which is harder and darker 
than that at the circumference, is called Heart Wood,- while the exterior, 
which is softer and ligiiter, is called Albernum, or Sap Wood. 

66. The inside of the bark of such stems has also the technical name of 
Liber. 

67. The heart wood was, when young, Alb^num, and afterward 
changed its nature by becoming the receptacle of certain secretions peculiar 
to the species. 



124 LEAP-BUDS. 

68. Hence the greater durability of heart wood than of sap wood. 
While the latter is newly formed empty tissue, almost as perishable as bark 
itself, the former is protected against destruction by the introduction of 
secretions that become solid matter, which is often insoluble in water, and 
never permeable to air. 

69. The secretions by which heart wood is solidified are prepared in the 
leaves, whence they are sent downward through the bark, and from the 
bark communicated to the central part of the stem. 

70. The channels through which this communication takes place are 
called Medullary Rays, or Silver Grain. 

71. Medullary rays are plates of cellular tissue, in a very compressed 
state, passing from the pith into tlie bark. 

72. The wood itself is composed of tubes consisting of woody fibre and 
vascular tissue, imbedded longitudinally in cellular substance. 

73. This cellular substance only developes horizontally ; and it is to it 
that the peculiar character of different kinds of wood is chiefly due. 

74. for this reason the wood of the stock of a crafted plant will never 
become like that oPSts scion, although, as vs'ill be hereafter seen (IV.), the 
woody matter of the stock must all originate in the scion. 

75. The stem of an exogenous plant may therefore be compared to a 
piece of linen, of which the weft is composed of cellular tissue, and the 
warp of fibrous and vascular tissue. 

76. In the spring and autumn a viscid substance is secreted between the 
wood and the liber, called the Cambium. 

77. This cambium appears to be the matter out of which the cellular 
horizontal substance of the stem is organized. 

7S. In Endogenous stems the portion at the circumference is harder than 
that in the centre ; and there is no separable bark. 

79. Their stems consist of bundles of woody matter, imbedded in cel- 
lular tissue, and composed of vascular tissue surrounded by woody fibre. 

80. The stem is not only the depository of the peculiar secretions of 
species, (67), but is also the medium through which the sap flows in its 
passage from the roots into the leaves. 

81. In exogenous stems (63) it certainly rises through the alburnum, 
and descends throujih the bark. 

82. In endogenous stems (64) it probably rises through the bundles of 
wood, and descends through the cellular substance ; but this is uncertain. 

83. Stems have the power of propagating an individual only by means 
of their Leaf-buds. If destitute of leaf-buds, they have no power of 
multiplication, except fortuitously. 

IV. Leaf-buds, 

84. Leaf-buds are rudiments of branches, enclosed within scales, which 
are imperfectly formed leaves. 

85. All the leaf-buds upon the same branch are constitutionally and ana- 
tomically the same. 

86. They are of two kinds ; namely, regular or normal, and adventi- 
tious or latent (119). 

87. Regular leaf-buds are formed at the axillae of leaves, 



LEAP-BUDS. 12(5 

88. They are organs capable of propagating the individual from which 
they originate. 

89. Tfiey are at first nourished by the fluid lying in the pith, but finally 
establish for then:kselved a communication with the soil by the woody mat- 
ter which they send downward. 

90. Their force of developement will be in proportion to their nourish- 
ment; and, consequently, when it is wished to procure a young shoot of 
unusual vigour, all other shoots in the vicinity are prevented growing, so 
as to accumulate for one shoot only all the food that would otherwise have 
been consumed by several. 

91. Cutting back to a few eyes is an operation in pruning to produce the 
same eJect, by directing the sap, as it ascends, into two or three buds only, 
instead of allowing it to expend itself upon all the others which are cut 
away. 

92. When leif-buds grow, they develope in three directions ; the one 
horizontal, the other upward, and the third downward. 

93. The horizontal developement is confined to the cellular system of the 
bark, pith, and nii'duilary rays. 

94. The upward and downward developements are confined to the woody 
fibre and vascular tissue. 

95. In this respect they resemble seed ; from which they differ physio- 
logically in propai^ating the individual, while seed can only propagate the 
species. 

96. When they disarticulate from the stem that bears them, they are 
called Bulbs. 

97. In some plants, a bud, when separated from its stem, will grow and 
form a now plant if placed in circumstances favourable to the preservation 
of its vital powers. 

98. But this property seems confined to plants having a firm, woody, 
perennial stem. 

99. Such buds, v^rhen detached from their parent stem, send roots down- 
ward and a stem upward. 

100. But if the buds are not separated from the plant to which they 
belong, the matter they send downward becomes wood and liber (66), and 
the stems they send upward become branches. Hence it is said that wood 
and liber are formed by the roots of leaf-buds. 

101. If no leaf-buds are called into action, there will be no addition of 
wood ; and, consequently, the destruction or absence of leaf-buds is accom- 
panied by the absence of wood ; a-; is proved by a shoot, the upper buds 
of which are destroyed and the lower allowed to develope. The lower 
part of the shoot will increase in diameter ; the upper will remain of its 
original dimensions. 

102. The quantity of wood, therefore, depends upon the quantity of 
leaf-buds that develope. 

103. It is of the greatest importance to bear this in mind in pruning 
timber trees : for excessive pruning must necessarily be injurious to the 
quantity of produce. 

104. If a cutting with a leaf-bud on it be placed in circumstances fitted 
to the developement of the latter, it will grow and become a new plant. 

105. If this happens when the cutting is inserted in the earth, the new 
plant is said by gardeners to be upon its own bottom^ 



126 LEAF-BUDS. 

106. But if it happens when the cutting is applied to the dissevered end 
of another individual, called a stock, the roots are insinuated into the tissue 
of the stock, and a plant is said to be grafted, the cutting being called a 
scion. 

107. There is, therefore, little difference between cuttings and scions, 
except that the former root into the earth, the latter into another plant. 

lOS. Bui if a cutting of the same plant without a leaf- bud upon it be 
placed in the same circumstances, it will not giow, but will die. 

109. Unless its vital powers are sufficient to enable it to develope an 
adventitious leaf-bud (119). 

110. A leaf-bud separated from the stem will also become a new indi- 
vidual, if its vital energy is sufficiently powerful. 

111. And this, whether it is planted in earth, into which it roots like a 
cutting, or in a new individual, to which it adheres and grows like a scion. 
In the former case it is called an eye, in the latter a hud. 

112. Every leaf-bud has, therefore, its own distinct system of life and 
of growths 

113. And as all the leaf-buds of an individual are exactly alike, it follows 
that a plant is a collection of a great number of distinct identical systems 
of life, and, consequently, a compound individual. 

114. Regular leaf-buds being generated in the exillae of the leaves, it i» 
there that they are always to be sought. 

115. And if they cannot be discovered by ocular inspection, it may 
nevertheless be always inferred with confidence that they exist in such 
situations, and may possibly be called from their dormant state into life. 

116. Hence, wherever the scar of a leaf, or the remains of a leaf, can 
be discovered, there it is to be understood that the rudiments exist of a 
system of life which may be, by favourable circumstances, called into 
action. 

117. Hence, all parts upon which leaves have ever grov^^n may be made 
use of for purposes of propagation. 

118. From these considerations it appears that the most direct analogy 
between the Animal and Vegetable kingdoms is with the Polypes of the 
former. 

119. Adventitious leaf-buds are in all respects like regular leaf-buds^ 
except that they are not formed at the exillae of leaves, but develope 
occasionally from all and any part of a plant. 

120. Tliey are occasionally produced by roots, by solid wood, or even by 
leaves and flowers. 

121. Hence roots, solid wood, or even leaves and flowers, may be used 
as means of propagation. 

122. But as the developement of adventitious buds is extremely uncei> 
tain, such means of propagation can never be calculated on, and form no 
part of the science of cultivation. 

123. The cause of the formation of adventitious leaf-buds is unknown, 

124. From certain experiments it appears that they may be generated by 
sap in a state of great accumulation and activity. 

125. Consequently, whatever tends to the accumulation of sap in an 
active state may be expected to be conducive to the formation of adventi- 
Uous leaf-buds. 



LEAVES. 127 

V. Leaves. 

126. Leaves are expansions of bark, traversed by veins. 

127. The veins consist of spiral vessels enclosed in woody fibre ; they 
originate in the medullary sheath and liber ; and they are connected by 
loose Parenchyma (7), which is foil of cavities containing air. 

128. This parenchyma consists of two layers, of which the upper is com- 
posed of cellules perpendicular to the cuticle, and the lower of cellules 
parallel with the cuticle. 

129. These cellules are arranged so as to leave numerous open passages 
among them for the circulation of air in the inside of a leaf. Parenchyma 
of this nature is called cavernous. 

130. Cuticle is formed of one or more layers of depressed cellular tissue, 
which is generally hardened, and always dry and filled with air. 

131. Between many of the cells of the cuticle are placed appertures 
called stomafa, which have the power of opening and closing as circum- 
stances may require. 

132. It is by means of this apparatus that leaves elaborate the sap which 
they absorb from the albernum, converting it into the secretions peculiar to 
the species. 

133. Their cavernous structure (129") enables them to expose the great- 
est possible surface of their parenchyma to the action of the atmosphere. 

134. Their cuticle is a non-conducting skin, which protects them from 
great variations in temperature, and through which gaseous matter will 
pass readily. 

135. Their stomata are pores that are chiefly intended to facilitate evap- 
oration ; for which they are well adapted by a power they possess of open- 
ing or closing as circumstances may require. 

136. They are also intended for facilitating the rapid emission of air, 
when it is necessary that such a function should be performed. 

137. The functions of stomata being of such vital importance, it la 
always advisable to examine them microscopically in cases where doubta 
are entertained of the state of the atmosphere which a particular speciea 
may require. 

138. Leaves growing in air are covered with a cuticle. 

139. Leaves growing under water have no cuticle. 

140. All the secretions of plants being formed in the leaves, or at least 
the greater part, it follows that secretions cannot take place if leaves are 
destroyed. 

141. And as this secreting property depends upon specific vital powers 
connected with the decomposition of carbonic acid, and called into action 
only when the leaves are freely exposed to light and air (279), it also fol- 
lows that the quantity of secretion will be in direct proportion to thff 
quantity of leaves, and to their free exposure to light and air. 

142. The usual position of leaves is spiral, at regularly increasing or 
diminishing distances ; they are then said to be alternate. 

1 43. But if the space, or the axis, that separates two leaves, is reduced 
to nothing at alternate intervals, they become opposite. 

144. And if the spaces that separate several leaves be reduced to nothing", 
they become verticillate. 



128 FLOWERS. 

145. Opposite and verticillate leaves, therefore, differ from alternate leaves 
only in the spaces that separate them being reduced to nothing. 

VI. Flowers. 

146. Flowers consist of two principal parts, namely, Floral Envelopes 
(149), and Sexes (VII.) 

147. Of these, the former constitute what is popularly considered the 
flower ; although the latter are the only parts that are absolutely essential 
to it. 

148. However different they may be in appearance from leaves, they are 
all formed of those organs in a more or less modified state, and altered in 
greater or less degree by mutual adhesion. 

149. The floral envelopes consist of two or more whorls of transformed 
leaves ; of which part is calyx, its leaves being called sepals, and part 
corolla, its leaves being called petals. 

150. The sexes are also transformed leaves (187). 

151. The calyx is always the outermost, the carolla is always the inner- 
most whorls 5 and if there is but one floral envelope, that one is calyx. 

152. Usually the calyx is green, and the corolla coloured and more 
highly developed : but the reverse . is frequently the case, as in Fuchsia, 
Ribes sanguineum, &c. 

153. A flower being, then, an axis surrounded by leaves, it is in reality 
a stunted branch ; that is, one the growth of which is checked, and its 
power of elongation destroyed. 

154. That flowers are stunted branches is proved, first, by all their parts, 
especially the most external, occasionally reverting to the state of ordinary 
leaves ; secondly, by their parts being often transformed into each other ; 
and, thirdly, by the whorls of flower -buds being dislocated and actually 
converted into branches whenever any thing occurs to stimulate them 
excessively. 

155. Their most essential distinctive character consists in the buds at 
the exillae of their leaves being usually dormant, while those in the exillae 
of ordinary leaves are usually active. 

156. For this reason, while leaf-buds can be used for the purpose of pro- 
pagation, flower-buds cannot usually be so employed. 

157. Being stunted branches, their position on the stem is the same a.<i 
that of developed branches. 

158. And as there is in all plants a very great difference in the develope- 
ment of leaf-buds, some growing readily into branches, others only unfold- 
ing their leaves without elongating, and many remaining altogether dor- 
mant, it follows that flower-buds may form upon plants of whatever age 
and in whatever state. 

159. But" to produce a general formation of flower-buds it is necessary 
that there should be some general predisposing constitutional cause, inde- 
pendent of accidental circumstances. 

160. This predisposing cause is the accumulation of sap and of secreted 
matter. 

161. Therefore, whatever tends to retard the free flow of sap, and causes 
it to accumulate, will cause the production of flower-buds or fertility. 



PLO^VHRS. 129 

162. And, on the other hand, whatever tends to produce excessive 
vigour, causes the dispersion of sap, or prevents its elaboration, and causes 
sterility. 

163. Transplantation with a partial destruction of roots, age, or high 
temperature accompanied by a dry atmosphere, training obliquely or in 
an inverted direction, a constant destruction of the extremities of young 
growing branches, will all cause an accumulation of sap, and secretions ; 
and, consequently, all such circumstances are favourable to the production 
of flower-buds. 

164. But a richly manured soil, high temperature, with great atmospheric 
humidity, or an uninterrupted flow of sap, are all causes of excessive vig- 
our, and are consequently unfavourable to the production of flower-buds. 

165. There is a tendency in many flowers to enlarge, to alter their 
colours, or to change their appearance by transformation and multiplication 
of their parts, whenever they have been raised from seed for several gene- 
rations, or domesticated. 

166. The causes of this tendency are probably various, but being entirely 
unknown, no certain rules for the production of varieties in flowers can be 
laid down, except by the aid of hybridizing (201). 

167. It often happens that a single branch produces flowers diflferent 
from those produced on other branches. This is technically called a sport. 

16S. As every bud on that branch has the same specific vital principle 
(113), a bud taken from such a branch will produce an individual, the 
whole of whose branches will retain the character of the sport. 

169. Consequently, by buds an accidental variety may be made perma- 
nent, if the plant that sports be of a firm woody nature (9S). 

170. As flowers feed upon the prepared sap in their vicinity, the greater 
the abundance of this prepared food, the more perfect will be their devel- 
opement. 

171. Or the fewer the flowers on a given branch, the more food they will 
severally have to nourish them, and the more perfect will they be. 

172. The beauty of flowers will therefore be increased either by an abun-. 
dant supply of food, or by a diminution of their numbers (thinning), or by 
both. The business of the pruner is to cause these by his operation, 

173. The beauty of flowers depends upon their free exposure to light 
and air, because it consists in the richness of their colours, and their colours 
are only formed by the action of these two agents (281). 

174. Hence flowers produced in dark or shaded confined situations are 
either imperfect, or destitute of their habitual size and beauty. 

175. Double flowers are those in which the stamens are transformed 
into petals ; or in which the latter, or the sepals, are multiplied. They 
should not be confounded with Proliferous (183), and Discoid Compound 
Flowers {IS4). 

176. Although no certain rules for the production of double flowers can 
be laid down, yet it is probable that those flowers have the greatest tendency 
to become double, in which the sexes are habitually multiplied. 

177. In Icosandrous and Polyandrous plants either the stamens or the 
pistilla are always very numerous when the flowers are in a natural state ; 
and it is chiefly in such plants that double flowers occur, when they become 
transformed. 



130 SEXES. 

178. It is, therefore, in such plants that double flowers are to be princi- 
pally expected. 

179. In proportion as the sexes of flowers habitually become few in 
number, do the instances of double flowers become rare. 

180. Double flowers are therefore least to be expected in plants with 
fewest stamens. 

181. Whenever the component parts of a flower adhere by their edges, 
as in monophyllous calyxes, monopetalous corollas, and monadelphous, or 
di-, or poiy-adelphous stamens, the tendency to an unnatural multiplication 
of parts seem checked. 

182 Therefore, in such cases, double flowers are little to be expected • 
they are, in fact, very rare. 

183. Proliferous flowers are those in which parts that usually have all 
their axillary buds dormant, accidentally develope such buds ; as in the Hen 
and Chickens Daisy, in Which the bractese of the involucrum furm other 
Daisy-heads in their axilte ; or, as in certain Roses, in which the carpellary 
leaves develope leaf-buds in their axillae, so that the flower becomes a 
branch, the lower leaves of which are coloured and transformed, and the 
upper green, and in their ordinary stale. 

184. Discoid compound flowers are those in which the central florets of 
a flower-head acquire carollas, like those of the circumference, as in the 
Dahlia ; the cultivated variety of which should be called discoid, and not 
double. 

185. These last two are so essentially different from double flowers, that 
whatever laws may be supposed to govern the production or amelioration 
of double flowers, can have no relation to proliferous or discoid compound 
flowers. 

VII. Sexes. 

186. The sexes consist of two or more whorls of transformed leaves, of 
which the outer are called Sf aniens (188). and the inner PLstiUiim (191), 

187. They are known to be modifications of leaves, because they very 
frequently are transformed into petals wliich are demonstrably such (149) ; 
and because they occasionally revert to the state of leaves. 

188. The stamens bear at their apex an organ, called the aiiiher, which 
contains a powder called pollen. 

ls9. When the anther is full grown it opens and emits the pollen, either 
dispersing it in the air m consequence of the e'asticity with which it opens ; 
or depositing it upon the stigmata (191) ; or exposing it to the action of 
wind, or such other disturbing causes as may liberate it from its case. 

190. The pollen consists of exceedingly minute hollow balls, or cases, 
containing myriads of moving particles, which are the fertilizing principle 
of the. stamens. 

191. 1'he pistillum has at its base one or more cavities or cells, in which 
bodies called ovula are placed ; and at its apex one or more secreting sur- 
faces called sHgmata. 

192. The ovula are the rudiments of seed. 

103. If the fertilizing powder of the pollen 6omes in contact with the 
stigmata, the ovula in the cells of the pistillum are vivified, and become seed. 



FRUIT. 131, 

194. But if this contact does not take place, the ovula cannot possibly 
,be vivified, but shrivel up and perish. 

195. The phenomenon of vivification takes place in consequence of the 
descent of a portion of the moving particles (190) of the pollen into the 
ovula, where such particles form the commencement of future plants. 

196. In wild plants stigmata is usually acted upon only by the pollen 
of the stamens which belong to it. 

197. In this case the seed thus vivified will, when sown, produce new 
individuals, differing very little from that by which they were them- 
selves produced. 

198. And, therefore, wild plants are for the most part multiplied from 
generation to generation without change. 

199. But it is possible to cause deviations from this law, by artificial 
means. 

200. If the pollen of one species is placed upon the stigmata of another 
species, the ovula will be vivified ; and what is called a hybrid plant will be 
produced, by those ovula when they shall have grown to be seed. 

201. Hybrid plants are difTerent from both their parents, and are gene- 
rally intermediate in character between them. 

202. They have little power of perpetuating themselves by seed ; but 
they may, if woody, be perpetuated by cuttings (312), buds (354), scions 
(335), &c. 

203. Therefore, no hybrids but such as are of a woody perennial char- 
acter can be perpetuated. 

204. It usually happens that the hybrid has the constitution and general 
aspect of the polliniferous parent ; but is influenced in secondary charac- 
ters by the peculiarity of the female parent. 

205. This should always be borne in mind in procuring new hybrid plants. 

206. Really hybrid plants must not be confounded with such as are spu- 
rious, in consequence of their origin being between two varieties of the 
same species, and not two species of the same genus. 

207. Hybrid plants, although incapable of perpetuation by seed, are often 
more abundant flowerers than either parent. 

208. This is, probably, connected with constitutional debility (162). 

VIII. Fruit. 

209. Fruit, strictly speaking, is the pistillum arrived at maturity. 

210. When the calyx adlieres to the pistillum, and grows with it to 
maturity, the fruit is called inferior ; as the Apple. 

211. But when the pistillum alone ripens, there being no adhesion to it 
on the part of the calyx, the fruit is called superior ; as the Peach. 

212. The fruit is, therefore, in common language, the flower, or some 
part of it, arrived at its most complete state of existence ; and conse- 
quently, is itself a portion of a stunted branch (153). 

213. The nature of its connection with the stem is therefore the same 
as that of the branches with each other, or of leaves with their stem. 

214. A superior fruit consisting only of one, or of a small number of 
metamorphosed leaves, it has little or no power of forming a communica- 
tion with the earth and of feeding itself, as real branches have (89). 



132 FRUIT. 

215. It has also very little adhesion to its branch ; so that but slight 
causes are sufficient to detach it from the plant, especially at an early age, 
when ail its parts are tender. 

216. tlence the difficuliy of causing Peaches and the like to siane, or to 
pass over that age, in which the vascular bundles that join them to the 
branch become woody, and secure them to their place. 

217. For the same reason they are fed almost entirely by other parts, 
upon secreted matter which they attract to themselves, elaborate, and store 
up in the cavities of their tissue. 

218. The office of feeding such fruit is performed by young branches 
which transmit nutriment to it through the bark (69). 

219. But as young branches can only transmit nutriment dov/nward, it 
follows that, unless a fruit is formed on a part of a branch below a leaf- 
bud, it must pcrisii, 

220. Unless there is some active vegetation in the stem above the branch 
on which it grows ; when it may possibly live and feed upon secretions 
attracted by it from the main stem. 

221. But inferior fruit, consisting at least of the calyx in addition to 
the pistillum, has a much more powerful communication with the branch ; 
each division of its calyx having at leant one bundle of vascular and 
fibrous tissue, passing from it into the branch, and acting as a stay upon 
the centre to prevent its breaking ofi. 

222. Such fruit may be supposed much more capable of establishing a 
means of attracting secretions from a distance 5 and, consequently, is less 
liable to perish from want of a supply of food. 

223. It is therefore not so important that an inferior fruit should be fur- 
nished with growing branches above it. 

224. Fruit is exclusively fed by the secretions prepared for it by other 
parts ; it is therefore affected by nearly the same circumstances as liowers. 

225. It will be large in proportion to the quantity of food the stem can 
supply to it ; and small in proportion to the inability of the stem to nourish it. 

226. For this reason, when trees are weak they should be allowed to 
bear very little, if any, fruit ; because a crop of fruit can only tend to in- 
crease their debility. 

227. And in all cases each fruit should be so far separated from all others 
as not to be robbed of its food by those in its vicinity. 

228. We find that nature has herself in some measure provided against 
injury to plants by excessive fecundity, in giving them a power of throw- 
ing oif flowers, the fruit of which cannot be supported. 

229. The flavour of fruit depends upon the existence of certain secre- 
tions, especially of acid and sugar j flavour will, consequently, be regulated 
by the circumstances under which fruit is ripened. 

230. The ripening of fruit is the conversion of acid and other substances 
into sugar. 

231. As the latter substance cannot be obtained at all in the dark, is less 
abundant in fruit ripened in diffused light, and most abundant in fruit ex- 
posed to tile direct rays of the sun, the conversion of matter into sugar 
occurs under the same circumstances as the decomposition of carbonic acid 
(141 and 279). 

232. Therefore, if fruit be produced in situations much exposed to the 
sun, its sweetness will be augmented. 



S£ED. 133 

233. And in proportion as it is deprived of the sun's direct rays, that 
quality will diminish. 

234. So that a fruit which, when exposed to the sun, is sweet, when 
grown where no direct light will reach it will be acid ; as Pears, Cherries, &c, 

235. Hence acidity may be corrected by exposure to light ; and excess- 
ive sweetness, or insipidity, by removal from light. 

236. It is the property of succulent fruits which are acid when wild, to 
acquire sweetness when cultivated, losing part of their acid. 

237. This probably arises from the augmentation of the cellular tissue, 
which possibly has a greater power than woody or vascular tissue of assist- 
ing in the formation of sugar. 

238. As a certain quantity of acid is essential to render fruit agreeable 
to the palate, and as it is the property of cultivated fruits to add to their 
saccharine matter, but not to form more acid than when wild ; it follows, 
that in selecting wild fruits for domestication, those which are acid should 
be preferred, and those which are sweet or insipid rejected ; 

239. Unless recourse is had to hybridism ; when a wild insipid fruit 
may possibly be improved (204), or may be the means of improving 
something else. 

240. It is very much upon such considerations as the foregoing that the 
rules of training must depend. 

IX. Seed. 

241. The seed is the ovulum arrived at perfection. 

242. It consists of an integument enclosing an embryo, which is the 
rudiment of a future plant. 

243. The seed is nourished by the same means as the fruit ; and, like 
it, will be more or less perfectly formed, according to the abundance of its 
nutriment. 

244. The plant developed from the embryo in the seed, will be in all 
essential particulars like its parent species, 

245. Unless its nature has been changed by hybridizing (204). 

246. But although it will certainly, under ordinary circumstances, repro- 
duce its species, it will by no means uniformly reproduce the particular 
variety by which it was borne. 

247. So that seed are not the proper means of propagating varieties. 

248. Nevertheless, in annual or biennial plants, no means can be em- 
ployed for propagating a variety, except the seed ; and yet the variety is 
preserved. 

249. This is accomplished solely by the great care of the cultivator, and 
happens thus ; 

250. Although a seed will not absolutely propagate the individual, yet 
as a seed will partake more of the nature of its actual parent than of any 
thing else, its progeny may be expected, as really happens, to resemble the 
variety from which it sprung, more than any other variety of its species; 

251. Provided its purity has not been contaminated by the intermix- 
ture of other varieties. 

252. By a careful eradication of all the varieties from the neighbourhood 
of that from which seed is to be saved ; by taking care that none but the 
jnost genuine forms of a variety are preserved as seed-plants ; and by com- 

i4 



134 SAP. 

pelling by transplantation a plant to expend all its accumulated sap in the 
nourishment of its seed, instead of in the superabundant production of 
foliage, a crop of seed may be procured, the plants produced by which will, 
in a great measure, have the peculiar properties of the parent variety. 

253. By a series of progressive seed-savings upon the same plan, plants 
will be at length obtained, in which the habits of the individual have 
become as it were fixed, and capable of such exact reproduction by seed, as 
to form an exception to the general rule ; as in Turnips, Radishes, &c. 

254. But if the least neglect occurs in taking the necessary precautions 
(252) to ensure a uniform crop of seed, possessing the new fixed proper- 
ties, the race becomes deteriorated, in proportion to the want of care that 
has occurred, and loses its characters of individuality. 

255. In all varieties those seed may be expected to preserve their indi- 
vidual characters most distinctly which have been the best nourished (243) ; 
it is, consequently, those whifh should be selected in preference for raising 
new plants, from which seed is to be saved. 

256. When seed are first ripened, their embryo is a mass of cellular sub- 
stance, containing starch, fixed carbon, or other solid matter, in its cavities; 
and in this state it will remain until fitting circumstances occur to call it 
into active life. 

257. These fitting circumstances are, a temperature above 32° Fahrenheit, 
a moist medium, darkness, and exposure to air. 

258. It then absorbs the moisture of the medium in which it lies, inhales 
oxygen (278), and undergoes certain chemical changes; its vital powers 
cause it to ascend by one extremity for the purpose of finding light, and 
of decomposing its carbonic acid (279), by parting with its accumulated 
oxy;:en, and to descend by the other extremity for the purpose of finding 
a constant supply of crude nutriment. 

259. Unless these conditions are maintained, seed cannot germinate; 
and, consequently, an exposure to light is fatal to their embryo, because 
(278) oxygen will not be absorbed in sufl^icient quantity to stimulate the 
vital powers of the embryo into action, for the purpose of parting with it 
again, by the decomposition of the carbonic acid that has been formed dur- 
ing its accumulation. 

X. Sap. 

260. The fluid matter which is absorbed either from the earth or from 
the air is called sap. 

261. When it first enters a plant it consists of water holding certain 
principles, especially carbonic acid, in solution. 

262. These principles chiefly consist of anim^il or vegetable matter in a 
state of decomposition, and are energetic in proportion to their solubility, 
or tendency to form c«irbonic acid by combining with the oxygen of the air. 

263. Sap soon afterward acquires the nature of mucilage or sunar. and 
subsequently becomes still farther altered by the admixture of such soluble 
matter as it receives in passing in its route through the alburnum or newly 
formed woody tissue (65). 

264. When it reaches the vicinity of the leaves it is attracted into them, 
and there, having bien exposed to light and air, is converted into the secre- 
tions peculiar to the species. 



AIR AND LIGHT. 135 

265 It finally, in its altered state sinks down the bark, whence it is given 
ofif laterly by the medullary rays, and is distributed through the system, 

266. No solid matter whatever can be taken off by the roots ; for this 
reason, metals, which in the state of oxydes are poisonous, are perfectly 
harmless in their metallic stite, as mercury ; and tiiis is, no doubt, the 
cause why liquid manure, which contains all the sohible parts of manure 
in a fluid state, acts with so much more energy than stimulating substances 
in a solid state. 

267. The cause of the motion of the sap is the attraction of the leaf- 
buds and leaves. 

268. The leaf-buds called into growth by the combined action of the 
increasing temperature and light of spring, decompose their carbonic acid 
(279), and attract fluid from the tissue immediately below them ; the space 
60 caused is filled up by fluid again attracted from below, and thus a motion 
gradually takes place in the sap from one extremity to the other. 

269. Consequently, the motion of the sap takes place first in the branches 
and last in the roots. 

270. For this reason, a branch of a plant subjf'ctcd to a high tempera- 
ture in winter, will grow while its stem is exposed to a very low tempera- 
ture. 

271. But growth under such circumetances will not belong maintained, 
unless the roots are secured from the rrach of frost ; for, if frozen they 
cannot act, and will consequently be unable to replace the sap of which the 
stem is emptied by the attraction of the buds converted into branches, and 
by the perspiration of the leaves (XII.) 

272. Whatever tends to inspissate the sap, such as a dry and heated 
atmosphere, or an interruption of its rapid flow, or a great decomposition 
of carbonic acid, by full exposure to light, has the property of causing ex- 
cessive vigour to be diminished, and flower-buds to be produced. 

273. While, on the other hand, whatever tends to dilute the sap, such 
as a damp atmosphere, a free and uninterrupted circulation, or a groat accu- 
mulation of oxygen in consequence of the imperfect decomposition of car- 
bonic acid, has the property of causing excessively rapid growth, and an 
exclusive production of leaf-buds. 

274. Inspissated or accumulated sap is, therefore, a great cause of fertility, 

275. And thin fluid, not being elaborated, is a great cause of sterility. 

276. The conversion of sap into different kinds of secretion is effected 
by the combined action of Air (XL), Light (XL), and Temperature. 

XI. Air and Light. 

277. When an embryo plant (242) is formed within its integuments, it 
is usually colourless, or nearly so ; but. as soon as it begins to grow, that 
part which approaches the light (the stem) becomes coloured, while the 
opposite extremity (the root) remains colourless. 

278. The parts exposed to the air absorb oxygen at night, absoib car- 
bonic acid and part with oxygen again in daylight ; and thus in the day- 
time purify the air, and render it fit for the respiration of man. 

279. The intensity of this latter phenomenon is in proportion to the 
intensity of solar light to which leaves are directly exposed. 

280. Its cause is the decomposition of carbonic acid, the extrication of 



136 Am AND LIGHT. 

oxygren, and the acquisition by the plant of carbon in a solid state ; from 
which, modified by the peculiar vital actions of species, colour and secre- 
tions are supposed to result. 

281. For it is found that the intensity of colour, and the quantity of 
secretions, are in proportion to the exposure to light and air, as is shown 
by the deeper colour of the upper sides of leaves, &c. 

282. And by the fact that if plants be grown in air from which light is 
excluded, neither colour nor secretions are formed, as is exemplified in 
blanched vegetables ; which, if even naturally poisonous, may, from want 
of exposure to light, become wholesome, as Celery. 

283. When any colour appears in parts developed in the dark, it is gen- 
erally caused by the absorption of such colouring matter as pre-existed in 
the root or other body from which the blanched shoot proceeds, as in some 
kinds of Rhubarb when forced. 

284. Or bv the deposition of colouring matter formed by parts developed 
in light, as in the subterranean roots of Beet, Carrots. &c. 

285. What is true of colour is also true of flavour, which equally de- 
pends upon light for its existence ; because flavour is produced by chemi- 
cal alterations in the sap caused by exposure to light (2 29). 

286. The same thing occurs in regard to nutritive matter, which in like 
manner is formed by exposure of leaves to light. Thus the Potato when 
forced in dark houses, contains no more amyl.icenus matter than previously 
existed in the original tuber; but acquires it in abundance when placed in 
the light, and deposites it in proportion as it is influenced 1>y ligiit and air. 
Thus, also, if Peaches are ii;rown in wooden houses, at a distance froii) the 
light, they will form so little nutritive matter as to be unabie to support a 
crop of fruit, the greater part of which will fall off. And for a sim)]ar 
reason, it is only the outside shoots of stmdard fruit trees that bear fruit. 
Considerations of this kind fi)rm in part the basis of pruning and training. 

287. Light is the most powerful stimulus that can be employed to ex- 
cite the Vital actions of plants, and its energy is in proportion to its intens- 
ity ; so that the direct rays of the sun will produce much more powerful 
effects than the diffused light of day. 

2SS. Hence, if burls that are very excitable are placed in a diffused light, 
their excitability will be checked. 

289. And if buds that are very torpid are exposed to direct light, they 
will be stimulated into action. 

290. So that vi^hat parts of a tree shall first begin to grow in the spring 
may be determined at the will of the cultivator. 

291. This is the key to some important practices in forcing. 

292. This should also cause attention to be paid to shading buds from 
the direct rays of the sun in particular cases ; as in that of cuttings, whose 
buds, if too rapidly excited, misiht exhaust their only reservoir of sap, the 
stem, before new roots were formed to repair such loss. 

293. As plants derive an essential part of their food from the air (2S0) 
by the action of light, it follows that in glass houses those which admit 
the greatest portion of light are the best adapted for purposes of cultiva- 
tion. 

294. The proportion of opaque matter in the roof of a glass house con- 
structed of wood varies from one third to one seventh ; that of an iron 
house does not exceed one twenty-third. 



PERSPlllATION. 13*? 

» 

295. Therefore, iron-roofed houses are in this respect better suited for 
cultivation than wooden-roofed houses. 

296. Ann it h:is been found by experiment, that light passes more freely 
through a curvilinear than through a plane roof, and throui^h glass forming 
an acute ansle with the hor zon than throufih perpendicular glass, it follows 
that a curvilinear roof is best, and a plane roof with glass perpendicular 
sides the wor^t, adapted to the purposes of the cultivator. 

297. For the same reason common green glass is less fitted for glazing 
forcing-houses than white croWn glass. 

298. i'oisonous gases in very minute quantities act upon vegetation with 
great etierzy, A fen thousandth part of sulplnirous acid gas"is quickly fatal 
to the life of plant:^ ; and hence the danger of flues heated by coal fires, 
and the impos.sibility of making many species grow in the vicinity of 
houses heated by coal fires, or in large towns. 

XII. Perspiration. 

299. It is not, however, exclusively by the action of light and air that 
the nature of snp is altered. Evaporation is constantlj'^ going on during the 
growth of a plant, and souietimes is so copious, thit an individual will 
perspire its own weight of water in the course of twenty-four hours. 

.^no. The loss thus occasioned by the leaves is supplied by crude fluid, 
absorbed by the roots, and convoyed up the stem witti great rapidity. 

301. The consequence of su'h copious perspiration is the separation 
and solidification of tlie carbonized matter that is produced for the peculiar 
secretions of a species. 

302. For the maintenance of a plant in health, it is indispensable that 
the supply of fluid by the roots should be continual and uninterrupted. 

303. If any thing causes perspiration to take place fiister than it can be 
counteracted by the absorption of fluid from the earth, plants will be dried 
up and perish. 

304. Such causes are, destruction of spongioles, an insufficient quantity 
of fluid in the soil, an exposure of the spongioles to occasional dryness, 
and a dry atmosphere. 

305. Tiie most ready means of counteracting the evil consequences of 
an imperfect action of the roots is by preventing or diminishing evapora- 
tion. 

306. This is to be eflTected by rendering the atmosphere extremely humid. 

307. Thus, in curvilinear iron hot-houses, in which the atmo.sphere be- 
comes so dry in consequence of the heat, that plants perish, it is necessary 
that the air should be rendered extremely humid, by throwing water upon 
pavement, or by introducing steam. 

308. And in transplantation in dry weather, evergreens, or plants in leaf, 
often die, because the spongioles are destroyed, or so far injured in the 
operation as to be unable to act, while the leaves never cease to perspire. 

309. The greater certainty of transplanting plants that have been grow- 
ing in pots, is from this latter circumstance intelligible. 

310. While the utility of putting cuttings or newly transplanted seed- 
lings into a shady damp atmosphere, is explained by the necessity of hin- 
dering evaporation. 



138 CUTTINGS* 

XIII. Cuttings. 

311. When a separate portion of a plant is caused to produce new roots 
and branches, and to increase an individual, it is a cutting. 

312. Cuttin<i,s are of two sorts: cuttiu^js properly so called, and eyes 
(319). 

313. A cutting consists of an internodia, or a part of one, with its 
nodi Z^'^1 an^ ^^^^ bud. 

314. When the inti-rnodia is plunged in the earth it attracts fluid from 
the soil, and nourishes the bud until it can feed itself. 

315. i'he bud, feeding at first upon the matter in the internodia, grad- 
ually eniongates up\vard into a branch, and sends organized matter down- 
ward, which becomes roots. 

316. As soon as it has established a communication with the soil, it be- 
comes a new individual, exactly like that from which it was taken. 

317. As it is ti'ie action of the leaf-buds that causes growth in a cutting, 
it follows that no cutting without a leaf-bud will grow ; 

318. Unless the cuttmg has great vitality and power of forming adven- 
titous leaf-buds (119). which sometimes happens. 

319. An eye is a leaf bud without an internodia. 

320. It only difTers from a cutting in having no reservoir of food on 
which to exist, and in emitting its roots immediately from the base of the 
leaf-bud into the soil. 

321. As cuttings will very often, if not always, develope leaves before 
any powerful connection is formed between them and the soil, they are 
pcculiariy liable to suifer from perspiration. 

322. Hence the importance of maintaining their atmosphere in an uni- 
form state of humidity, as is effected by putting bell or other glasses over 
them. 

323. In this case, however, it is necessary that if air-tight covers are 
employed, such as bell-jilasses, they should be from time to time removed 
and replaced, for the sake of getting rid of excessive humidity. 

324. Layers differ from cuttings in nothing except that they strike root 
into the soil while yet adhering to the parent plant. 

325. Whatever is true of cuttings is true of layers, except that the latter 
are net liable to suffer by evaporation, because of their communication with 
the parent plant. 

326. As cuttings strike roots into the earth by the action of leaves or leaf- 
buds, it might be supposed that they will strike most readily when the 
leaves or leaf-buds are in their greatest vigour. 

327. Nevertheless, this power is controlled so much by the peculiar vital 
powers of dilTerent species, and by secondary considerations, that it is im- 
possible to say that this is an absolute rule. 

328. Thus Dahlias and other herbaceous plants will strike root freely 
when cuttings are very young ; and Heaths. Azaleas, and other hard-wooded 
plants, only when the wood has just begun to harden. 

329. The former is, probably, owing to some specific vital excitability, 
the force of which we cannot appreciate ; the latter either to a kind of 
torpor, which seems to seize such plants when the tissue is once emptied 
of fluid, or to a natural slowness to send downward woody matter, whether 
for wood or not, which is the real cause of their wood being harder. 

12* 



SCIONS. 139 

330. If ripened cuttings are upon the whole the most fitted for multi- 
plication, it is because their tissue is less absorbent than when younger, and 
that they are less likely to suffer either from repletion or evaporation. 

331. For. to gor;ie tissue with food, before leaves are in action to decom- 
pose and assimilate it, is as prejudicial as to empty tissue by the action of 
leaves, before spongioles are prepared to replenish it. 

332. For this reason, pure sijex, in which no stimulating substances are 
contained (silver sand), is the best adapted for promoting the rooting of 
cuttings that strike with difficulty. 

333. And for the same reason, cuttings with what gardeners call a heel 
to them, or a piece of the older wood, strike root more readily than such 
as are not so protected. The greater age of the tissue of the heel renders 
it less absorbent than tissue that is altogether newly formed. 

334. It is to avoid the bad effect of evaporation that leaves are usually 
for the most part removed from a cutting, when it is first prepared. 



XIV. Scions. 

335. A scion is a cutMng (311) which is caused to grow upon another 
plant, and not in the earth. 

3S6. Scions are of two sorts : scions properly so called, and buds (354). 

337. Whatever is true of cuttings is true also of scions, all circum- 
stances being equal. 

33S. When a scion is adapted to another plant, it attracts fluid from it 
for the nourishment of its leaf-buds until they can feed themselves. 

339. Its leaf-buds thus fed. gradually grow upward into branches, and 
send woody matter downward, which is analagous to roots. 

340. At the same time, the cellular substance of the scion and its stock 
adheres (19), so as to form a complete organic union. 

341. The woody matter descending from the bud passes through the 
cellular substance into the stock, where it occupies the same situation as 
would have been occupied by woody matter supplied by buds belonging to 
the stock itself 

342. Once united, the scion covers the wood of the stock with new 
wood, and causes the production of new roots. 

343. But the character of the woody matter sent down by the scion 
over the wood of the stock being determined by the cellular substance, 
which has exclusively a horizontal developement (73), it follows that the 
wood of the stock will always remain apparently the same, although it is 
furnished by the scion. 

344. Some scions will grow upon a stock without being able to trans- 
mit any woody matter into it ; as some Cacti. 

345. When this happens, the adhesion of the two takes place by the 
cellular substance only, and the union is so imperfect that a slight degree 
of violence suffices to dissever them. 

346. And in such cases the buds are fed by their woody matter, which 
absorbs the ascending sap from the stock at the point where the adhesion 
has occurred ; and the latter, never augmenting in diameter, is finally over- 
grown by the scion. 

347. When, in such instances, the communication between the stock 



140 TRANSPLANTATION. 

and the scion is so much interrupted that the sap can no longer ascend 
with sufficient rapidity into the branches, the latter die ; as in many Peaches. 

348. This incomplete union between the scion and its stock is owing to 
some constitutional or organic difference in the two. 

349. Therefore, care should be talven that when plants are grafted on one 
another, their constitution should be as nearly as possible identical. 

350. As adhesion of only an imperfect nature takes place when the scion 
and stock are, to a certain degree, dissimilar in constitution, so will no ad- 
hesion whatever occur when their constitutional diilerence is very decided. 

351. Hence it is only species very nearly allied in nature that can be 
grafted on each other. 

352. As only similar tissues will unite (19), it is necessary, in applying 
a scion to the stock, that similar parts should be carefully adapted to each 
other ; as bark to bark, cambium to cambium, alburnum to alburnum. 

353. The second is more especially requisite, because it is through the 
cambium that the woody matter sent downward by the buds must pass ; 
and also because cambium itself, being organizing matter in an incipient 
state, will more readily form an adhesion than any other part. 

354. The same principles apply to buds, which are to scions precisely 
what eyes (319) are to cuttings. 

355. Inarching is the same with reference to grafting, that layering (324) 
is with reference to striking by cuttings. 

356. It serves to maintain the vitality of a scion until it can form an 
adhesion with its stock ; and must be considered the most certain mode 
of grafting. 

357. It is probable that every species of flowering plant, without excep- 
tioa, may be multiplied by grafting. 

358. Nevertheless, there are many species and even tribes that never 
have been grafted. 

359. It has been found that in the Vine and the Walnut this difficulty 
can be overcome by attention to their peculiar constitutions ; and it is pro- 
bable that the same attention wall remove supposed difficulties in the case 
of other species. 

XV. Transplantation. 

360. Transplantation consists in removing a plant from the soil in which 
it is growing to some other soil. 

361. If in the operation the plant is torpid, and its spongioles uninjured, 
the removal will not be productive of any interruption to the previous 
rate of growth. 

362. And if it is growing, or evergreen, and the spongioles are uninjured, 
the removal will produce no farther injury than may arise from the tem- 
porary suspension of the action of the spongioles, and the non-cessation 
of perspiration during the operation. 

363. So that transplantations may take place at all seasons of the year, 
and under all circumstances, provided the spongioles are uninjured. 

364. This applies to the largest trees as well as to the smallest herbs. 

365. But as it is impossible to take plants out of the earth without 
destroying or injuring the spongioles, the evil consequence of such acci- 
dents must be remedied by the hinderance of evaporation. 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. ^141 

366. Transplantation should therefore take place only when plants are 
torpid, and when their respiratory organs (leaves) are absent ; or, if they 
never lose those organs, as evergreens, only at seasons when the atmosphere 
is periodically charged with humidity for some considerable time, 

367. Old frees, in which the roots are much injured, form new ones so 
slowly, that they are very liable to be exhausted of sap by the ab.-5orption 
of their very numerous young buds before new spongioles can be formed. 

36S. The amputation of all their upper extremities is the most probable 
prevention of death ; but in most cases injury of their roots is without a 
remedy. 

369. Plants in pots being so circumstanced that the spongioles are pro- 
tected from injury, can, however, be transplanted at all seasons without 
any dangerous consequences. 



INTRODUCTION. 



TO THE 



MONTHLY CALENDAR 



The object of the following Calendar is to furnish, in a con- 
densed form, monthly directions for the culture of some plants 
not previously mentioned in this work; and also to direct the 
reader's attention to the regular management of such plants 
as have been heretofore treated of In pursuit of the latter 
object, references will be made to former pages, so as to 
exhibit, at one view, the business of the garden in each 
month of the year. The figures indicate the pages in which 
farther directions may be found relative to the operations 
referred to. 



142 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

JANUARY. 

Winter's white sheet now covers earth's cold bed ; 
Pride of our home, the lovely Flowers, are dead } 
Some early venturers would the aspect cheer, 
The first-born children of the dawning year. 

Having shown, in page 100, that heat, air, and water are 
the food of plants, and necessary to the preservation of their 
health and life, if given in due proportion according to cir- 
cumstances, I would, at this season of the year, especially, 
«alute the gardener with " Be ye temperate in all things." 

Temperance in the use of water is of the utmost import- 
ance in the winter season, for several reasons which may be 
given. In the first place, water will attract frost, and, there- 
fore, should be used very sparingly in frosty weather; 
another consideration is, that in the absence of heat and air, 
plants cannot absorb much moistui'e, and, consequently, must 
become injured from excessive watering; and it may be 
observed farther, that it is not prudent to keep plants in an 
extremely vigorous state, until the season arrives when the 
external air is soft and salubrious ; they can then have a due 
proportion of heat, air, and moisture at the same time. 

Perhaps the next important point to be attended to at this 
lime is, to see that the green-house, or room, in which plants 
are intended to be preserved, is calculated for the purpose. 
The room should be light and airy, and yet so secure as to 
prevent the intrusion of external cold air, or the departure 
of warm air in the night season. 

A Fahrenheit thermometer is indispensable in a green- 
house, or room, where plants are kept, and the temperature 
ehould be always kept up as nearly as possible to forty degrees, 
in the absence of the sun. If the gardener retire to rest in 
this variable climate, leaving the mercury much below forty, 
he may expect to find his plants frozen in the mornmg. 

A good brick flue is better calculated for heating a small 
green-house than any other contiivance ; because, after a 
Bufficient fire has been made to heat the bricks thoroughly, 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 143 

they will retain the heat through a winter night, whereas an 
iron stove with its metal pipes will cool as the fire gets low, 
and expose the plants to cold toward morning, which is the 
time they most need protection. The heat from iron is, 
moreover, too dry and parching, while an evaporation or 
salubnous steam may be raised from bricks, by sprinkHng 
the flue occasionally, which would operate on plants similar 
to healthful dew-drops. 

At this season of the year, sitting-rooms, or parlours, 
are generally heated in the daytime to full twenty degrees 
higher than what is necessary for the preservation of plants ; 
consequently, as the heat decreases in the night season, 
plants often get injured, unless a fire is kept up. Air must 
be admitted to plants kept in this way, at all opportunities j 
and more water will be necessary for such plants, than those 
kept in a gi-een-house would require. For the management 
of bulbous roots in pots or glasses, the reader is referred to 
page 94. 



FEBRUARY. 

Like shivering orphans on the wide world cast, 
They feel the rigour of the Northern blast, 
Whilst Fortune's Favourites claim the florist's care, 
And all the comforts of the green-house share. 

Having in the previous month discussed some important 
points relative to the general care of plants, I now proceed 
to notice a few of those kinds that require attention at this 
particular season : 

Camellias, or Japan Roses. There are numerous varieties 
of this valuable class of plants, exhibiting every shade of 
colour, from deep crimson to the purest white ; in some 
imperceptibly blended, in others strikingly contrasted. They 
are unrivalled objecfs of beauty from October to May, being 
set in a fine glossy foliage. 



144 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

Double Camellias are generally propagated on stocks of 
the single, which are procured by planting cuttings of the 
young shoots in light mould under bell glasses ; on these, 
when grown to a sufficient size, are inarched the finer kinds 
of double. Sometimes these latter are also struck by cut- 
tings ; but as their progress by such method is generally 
slow and uncertain, it is seldom resorted to. These valuable 
plants are too often injured by amateurs, from misapplied 
care bestowed upon them, so that their whole compensation 
and enjoyment is reduced to the mere possession of a hand- 
some green shrub. Destined, from the extreme beauty and 
unrivalled delicacy of their flowers, to become the chief 
pride and ornament of the green-house and drawing-room 
in the winter season, Camellias should have a fair chance 
given them to exhibit their fine bloom in perfection. 

It should be observed, that Camellias are by no means 
tender shrubs, but require to be kept in a medium, even 
temperature, and they generally succeed best in a green- 
house, where the atmosphere is damp. As the buds begin 
to swell, they will require more water than at any other time, 
which may be applied from the rose of a watering-pot, or 
syringe, while in bud, but when in blossom it should be ap- 
plied to the earth. 

If Cammelias be kept where there is a dry air, occasioned 
from fire heat, they must have plenty of the natural air at 
all opportunities, or the buds will become brown and fall 
off; and if they are subject to extreme cold at night, which 
is too often the case when kept in rooms of an uneven 
temperature, premature decay of the buds will inevitably be 
the consequence. 

To presei-ve Camellias in a healthy condition, they should 
be kept in a fresh, moderately light soil, consisting of sandy 
loam taken from under grass sods, and leaf mould well 
mixed; nothing being move injurious to them than over- 
potting ; they should not be shifted into larger pots, until the 
projection of their roots show evidently that they are in need 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 145 

of it. Few plants bear privation of sunshine in summer 
better than these ; they should, however, be kept in an open 
situation, where they can have a full share of light and air. 

Such bulbous roots as may be in progress of blooming, 
will require attention this month ; tuni them frequently to 
the light, as recommended in page 95, and increase the sup- 
plies of water as they advance toward perfection. 

Attend to Campanula Pyramidalis, Hepeticas, JMimilns^ 
Senecios, and herbaceous plants in general ; those not in bud 
should be watered very sparingly. Shrubby plants, espe- 
cially those which bud and blossom in winter, and the early 
part of spring, as the several varieties of the Acacias, Aza- 
lias. Calceolarias, Correas, Coronillas, Daphnes, Diosmas, 
Eupatoriums, Eutaxias, Fuchsias, Gnidias, Heaths, Laurus- 
tinuses. Lemon trees, Rhododendrons, Orange trees, &c., 
will require water once or twice a week, according to cir- 
cumstances, and air should be given at all opportunities, or 
the plants will not blossom in perfection. 

For the benefit of such as may wish to raise early plants 
from seed, or to force Dahlia or other roots, I subjoin the 
following brief directions for making a small hot-bed : In a 
border exposed to the morning sun, let a pit be dug about 
thirty inches deep, five feet wide, and six long ; this will 
admit of two sashes, each three feet by five. A frame of 
suitable dimensions may be made of plank ; the back plank 
may be two feet wide, and the end ones sloped so as to 
make a fifteen-inch plank do for the front. The frame being 
made, set it over the pit, and then get a load of horse dung, 
fresh from the livery stables, (not such as has lain long, or 
may have been soddened with water,) spread it evenly in 
the pit until full, then put into the frame rich light mould, 
or compost, to the depth of ten or twelve inches, and the 
seed may be sown as soon as it gets warm. It may be 
necessary to observe, that in making hot-beds, the quantity 
of top mould should be regulated according to the substance 
of the manure in the pit, and this may vary according to the 

13 



146 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

use the beds are intended for, or to other circumstances. 
After the seed are sown, the beds will require constant atten- 
tion ; cover up warm in cold nights, and give air at all oppor- 
tunities, to prevent the plants from growing weak. 

As we are subject to northwest winds at this season, which 
produce extreme freezing, it will be better to delay the 
making of hot-beds to the first week in March, at which time 
opportunities will frequently offer of giving plants a tolera- 
ble share of salubrious air, which is indispensable to their 
preservation. 



MARCH. 

The " Yellow Crocus,''^ in her simple dress, 
And the "■pale Primrose,''^ chaste, in loveliness, 
Though the fierce Storm King rides upon the gale, 
Foretels of Spring, 'midbt snow and cutting hail. 

As the spring progresses, the external air will be soft and 
salubrious; at which time it should be freely admitted to 
plants kept in rooms and green-houses. In proportion as the 
plants get air, they should have water applied from the rose 
of a watering-pot. 

Monthly Roses will require attention this month. It should 
be recollected, that it is from the young wood of these plants 
that buds are to be expected ; their growth should, there- 
fore, be encouraged, by admitting sun and air at all oppor- 
tunities, and water when necessary. 

Prhnufas. There are several species of plants under this 
name, which exhil)it their blossoms in March and April ; 
some of which are very beautiful, as the Polyanthus, English 
Spring Flowers, Auricula, &c. ; but I would now direct the 
reader's attention to the Chinese varieties, some of which 
are pure white, and others of a lilac colour. They are first 
raised from seed sown in the spring, and will keep two or 
three years. 



MONTHLY CALEP«>AR. 147 

Plants that are full grown, will commence blooming in 
December, and continue to produce umbels of flowers for 
five or six months, if well attended to ; they are generally in 
their piime this month, at which time a little water should 
be applied to the earth about twice a week. 

Many species and varieties of seed may be sown this month 
in hot-beds prepared as directed under the head February, 
page 115. 

Auricula, Polyanthus, and all other species of Primula 
seed, should now be sown. Mignonette, Ten Week Stock, 
and Dahlia seed, from choice varieties, may also be sown in 
pots, and care should be taken, when the plants are up, that 
they be not injured by excess of moisture. 

There are some splendid varieties of the Schizanthus 
which deseive attention at an early season. They are rather 
difficult of cultivation in pots, being apt to suffer by excess 
of heat or moisture ; and often, when in full bloom, die off 
suddenly by decays at the bottom of the stem. No plants 
will, however, more amply repay all the care and trouble 
that may be bestowed on them, than those of the elegant 
genus Schizanthus. The best soil for them is loam and leaf 
mould, with a small portion of sand. They should be re- 
Spotted as often as the pots are filled with roots, till they 
come into full flower. 

All the different varieties of tender annual, biennial, and 
perennial flower seed, designated thus § and thus f in our 
Catalogues, pages IS and 30, may be sown this month in 
hot-beds, or in pots kept in the green-house. 

Hyacinths, Narcissus, and other bulbs in glasses, must 
have the water shifted every week, and the glasses should 
•be thoroughly washed every two or three weeks, 96. 

Toward the end of the month, roots of AmavijUis formO' 
sissima, Gladiolus psiltacinna, Tiger Flower, Tuberose, and 
such other bulbs as may have been preserved dry through 
the winter, may now be planted in pots and kept in a green- 
house or light room, or else plunged in a hot-bed. Thoso 



14S MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

who have no such conveniences may, however, delay the 
planting of sound bulbs, until the weather will admit of their 
being planted in warm borders. 

Dahlia roots should now be plunged in a hot-bed, to for- 
ward them, with a view to their being separated, as soon as 
the eyes are discernible, 77. 



APRIL. 



As Nature feels the sun's life-giving rays, 
And genial showers now mark the lengthen'd days, 
Buds and sweet blossoms, redolent of Spring, 
To meditation soothing moments bring. 

This is the most important month in the year for gardening 
operations. If not done toward the end of the last month, 
the covering must be taken from hardy flowering plants 
early in this month, and the beds and borders attended to as 
directed, pages 22 and 37 ; at the same time, clip edgings of 
box, and clean, re-lay, or make new gravel walks, &c., 15 ; 
prune and transplant flowering shrubs, 39 and 53; trans- 
plant also hardy herbaceous plants, 34 and 35. 

Sow flower seed ; the hardiest may be sown in the open 
borders, and the tender in hot-beds, 23 and 33. 

All the soil of a garden should be dug this month, if pos- 
sible, and pulverized as directed, 22 and 65. 

It will be necessary to look over all the green-house plants 
in the early part of this month ; let them be deprived of 
dead wood, if any, by a careful pruning ; at the same time 
take ofl" all yellow leaves ; the earth at the top of the pots 
should be loosened, so as to admit the sun and air to the 
roots of the plants, 99 and 101. 

If insects prevail on Roses or other plants, a fumigation 
with tobacco will be necessary. 

Bulbous roots will require some attention this month; 
those in bloom in the garden should be tied up to wires or 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 149 

small sticks ; and those kept inside should be watered in 
proportion as they get heat and air. 

The Call a, or Ethiopian Lily, and the different varieties 
of Rhododendrons, will need frequent watering while in bud 
and blossom. 

Air must be admitted freely to all green-house plants 
toward the end of this month, in order to prepare them for 
the exposure of the open garden next month. 

For the method of managing Dahlia roots, see page 77 ; 
prepare to plant tender bulbous roots toward the end of this, 
or early in the next month. The foUrjwing should be for- 
warded in pots, which may be kept in a green-house or warm 
room, or they may be plunged in a hot-bed : Amarillises, 
67 ; Gladioluses, 80 ; Lilies, 84 ; Tuberoses, 92 ; Tiger 
Flowers, 93, 

Hydrangeas, Pomegranates, Verbenas, and other decidu- 
ous shrubby plants, should be cultivated early in this month, 
to promote the production of leaf and flower-buds. 

Biennial seed, such as Wall Flower and Stock Gilli Flower, 
also all kinds of tender perennials, should be sown this 
month, if not previously done in the green-house, or in hot- 
beds, 23, 33, and 103. 

For an exhibition of the order of the flowering tribe in 
this month and the next, the reader is referred to an article, 
entitled * The Beauties of April and May/ pages 54 to 62, 



MAY. 



The blue ey*d May, rejoicing in her train, 
Spreads her gretm mantle o'er the grove and plain j 
From beds of Violets grateful odours rise 
In fragrant incense to benignant skies. 

As the warm weather progresses, the gardener should be 
on the alert, in order to conquer the various kinds of insects. 
Burn tobacco leaves in the green-house, so as to fumigate 



150 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

the plants well, before tliey are removed into the open gar- 
den ; and such plants as may show any indications of being 
infested with the eggs of insects, should be sponged with 
soapsuds, and afterward well syringed and watered. Fre- 
quent sprinkling from the rose of a watering-pot will pre- 
vent insects from accumulating ; especially if the water be 
impregnated with tobacco, by a bag of the leaves being 
steeped therein a few hours previous to using it. 

Choice Geraniums will need attention this month, in order 
that they may exhibit their flowers to advantage. When in 
full bloom, care should be taken not to wet the foliage or 
flowers ; but this may be done freely before the buds are 
expanded. 

If awnings were not provided last month for the protec- 
tion of choice flowers, it should be attended to early in this 
month, 69, 81, and 92 ; plant Amaryllises, 68 ; Double 
Dahlias, 78 and 79 ; Gladioluses, 80 ; Lilies, 84 ; Tuberose, 
92 ; Tiger Flowers, 93 ; sow annual, biennial, and perennial 
flower seed in the open borders, 23 to 33. Attend to the 
walks, edgings, &c., and see that tall plants are neatly tied 
to sticks, wires, or stakes, 15?, 21, 79, and 81. Procure and 
plant such perennial plants as may be necessary to make 
variety in the flower beds, 34. 

Green-house plants may be set out about the middle of 
the month, and it should be done in cloudy weather, in order 
that they may be prepared gradually for the shining of the 
sun upon them. A situation exposed to the sun for only one 
half the day is preferable for most plants, especially if they 
can be shaded at noon, 35. 

Many plants, such as Coronillas, Heaths, Aucubas, Myr- 
tles, Oleanders, and several other sorts, are subject to be in- 
fested with white and brown scaly insects ; if these cannot 
be effectually taken from the plants by washing and spung- 
ing, let the plants be headed down early in the month of 
May, and if they are well attended to, new branches will 
shoot out on the old stem. 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 161 

Such Orange trees as were budded last July or August, 
should be headed down eaily in this month. 

Auriculas, Polyantlius, and Daisies, should be separated 
into single tufts, and planted in a shady border for increase, 
as soon as they have done blossoming. 

Such Carnations as may have been wintered in frames 
should now be exposed to the open air, in the flower borders. 

Tulips, which will be in full perfection by the middle of 
this month, will require constant attention. 

Such green-house plants as may have done blossoming- 
may be pruned this month, and if the cuttings be planted at 
this time they will strike freely, 101. 

Cuttings of Salvia splendens and fnlgens will produce 
strong plants for blossoming in August, if planted early in 
this month. Chrysanthemum cuttings should now be put 
down, and the suckers divided, and planted singly in bor- 
ders, or in pots, for flowering in the autumn, 102. 



JUNE. 



The blushing glory and the pride of June, 
Blooms tlie red Rnse — why should it fade so soon! 
E'en the gay Tulip finds a rival here, 
Though rich in tints, warm, delicate, and clear. 

The principal sowing season may be considered as past j 
but if any failures should have happened of former sowings, 
seed may be sown the eaily part of this month, which, if 
kept watered occasionally, will grow quickly. 

Green-house plants will need watering every evening, in 
dry warm weather; and in the absence of dews, some sorts 
may need a little in the morning at sunrise, 100 ; Hydran- 
geas, Daisies, Polyanthus, Primulas, &c., should be kept 
shaded from the noonday sun, or they will droop, and some 
may die. Carnations and Pinks will need frequent waterings 
at the roots, and the branches should be tied neatly to rods. 



152 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

Such flowering shrubs as may have been planted late in 
the spring season, should be regulaily watered in dry v/eather. 
Give frequent waterings to the flower beds, in general ; cut 
down dead flower stalks ; remove decayed plants, and care- 
fully replace them with vigorous ones from the nursery bed. 
Transplant annual flower plants into the regular beds with 
a small trowel, or neat dibble, 27. 

Plant Colchicums, 70 ; finish planting Dahlias, and pro- 
vide poles for their support, 78 and 79 ; water them occa- 
sionally in dry weather. 

Many sorts of bulbous roots will be ripe by the end of this 
month ; these should be taken up and dried as directed, 
page 65. Those cultivated in pots should not be watered 
after the foliage is decayed, until the peiiod o£ re-germina- 
tion takes place, 66 and 94. 

Numerous beautiful flowers exhibit themselves this month, 
some of which are noticed in an article, entitled ' The 
Beauties of April and May,' page 54 to 62. There are, 
however, several others worthy of notice, which are omitted 
in that article. The several species of Phlox are remarka- 
bly showy plants, and very desirable to cultivate, as they 
blossom in their several varieties the whole season. Beside 
these, are the splendid varieties of Roses, Pinks, Lychnises, 
Sweet Williams, Fox Gloves, Snap-dragons, Perennial Lu- 
pins, Verbenas, Veronicas, Valerians, &c. These should all 
be attended to, and their branches tied to neat stakes, so as 
to enable them to exhibit their flowers to the greatest possi- 
ble advantage. 

Dahlias that are intended for blossoming this year should 
be planted by the middle of this month, if not done before, 78» 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 153 

JULY. 

Pinks and Carnations, ye are fair to view, 
Creative wisdom shines in every hue ; 
Ye raise the mind, improve the human heart, 
And goodly precepts gracefully impart. 

Green-house plants will need daily care at this season ; 
let them be watered every evening in dry weather. Such 
Geraniums as may have grown large and unwieldly, should 
now be pruned, in order that their size and appearance may 
be improved, 101. 

Garden Roses, having done flowering for the season, 
should also be pruned. Cut out all old exhausted wood, and 
where it is too thick and crowded, shorten such shoots as have 
flowered, to a good fresh strong eye, or bud, accompanied 
with a healthy leaf. All wood that grows after this pruning 
will ripen perfectly, and produce large flowers the ensuing 
year. 

If dry warm weather, it may be necessary to water such 
flowering shrubs and Roses as were planted in the spring; 
and if Dahlia plants could be watered two or three times a 
week, it would be beneficial to their growth. Give regular 
sprinklings from the rose of a watering-pot, or syringe, to 
shrubby plants in general, but particularly Camellias, Orange 
and Lemon trees, &c., in order to keep them in a healthy 
state. 

Such bulbous roots in pots, whose foliage have withered, 
should be kept dry until the period of rc-germination, 6Q 
and 94 ; others may be taken up as soon as ripe, after which 
the offsets may be parted off, and both these and the parent 
bulbs dried for planting in autumn, 65. 

The flower garden should be kept weeded and watered, 
and the seed gathered as they ripen ; apply neat rods to tall- 
growing and running kinds of plants. Nip off curled and 
dead leaves, and destroy insects, 15. 

Orange and Lemon trees may be budded at any time this 
month , and those which weep headed down in the spring 



154 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

should be examined, and all superfluous shoots must be 
pruned off with a sharp knife, leaving only the strongest ; 
the tops of wliich should be pruned off to promote their 
branching. Myrtles, Oleanders, and such other plants as may 
have been headed down in May, will need similar treatment. 
Carnations, Pinks, Pansies, Running Verbenas, &c., may 
be layed this month for propagation, 33 and 34 ; many 
kinds of cuttings, as Geraniums, Roses, and exotic shrubs, 
may still be planted with success, 50. 



AUGUST. 

Brief is the mission of the fragile Flowers ; 
Some droop and die e'er close the sunny hours ; 
Just as a maden, in life's opening bloom, 
Lamented sinks into an early tomb. 

Green-house plants will need particular attention this 
month. They should be watered every evening in dry 
weather, and as soon as the exti'eme heat of the summer is 
past, which is generally by the latter end of this month, or 
early in the next, preparation must be made for replenish- 
ing with fiesh comj^ost, and re-potting such plants as are in- 
tended to be cultivated through the winter in a green-house, 
light room, or garden frames. Previous to the commence- 
ment of this business, let such compost as is suited to the 
various kinds of plants be provided, 101. 

Those who may have a number of plants in various sized 
pots, should provide a few new pots a size larger than the 
largest in use ; the largest plants being shifted into the new 
pots, leaves the next sized pots for the second-sized plants, 
and by pursuing this plan of shifting until the whole are 
done, the smallest pots will be left for such plants as have 
been propagated in the course of the summer. 

The shifting of plants requiies considerable attention and 
judgment, as some })lants, if kept in too large pots, will sus- 
tain considerable injury ; therefore, in such cases, where the 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 155 

fibrous roots have not spread around the pot, nothing more 
is necessary than to rub off a little of the outside mould, and 
then to substitute fresh compost for the roots to run in. 

Such plants as may have become pot-bound, and whose 
roots are matted around the pot, will, in many cases, bear 
reducing. If the matted roots are carefully pared off, and 
the plants shifted into good fresh compost, they will soon take 
root, and grow freely ; but it will be necessary to prune off 
all surplus branches of the plants previous to re-potting them, 
and to shade them for a week or ten days.- 

Pieces of tile, or broken pots, should be laid over the aper- 
ture at the bottom of the pots, to enable the surplus moisture 
to drain off, or the roots will sustain injury. 

The flower beds will need attention this month. Water 
Dahlias and other choice plants in dry weather ; cut down 
all decayed flower stalks, as soon as the seed is gathered, and 
pull up annuals as they cease to flower. 

Plant Oxahses in small pots, 86, and prepare compost for 
other tender bulbs to be planted in pots next month. 

Rose shrubs. Orange, and Lemon trees, &c., &c., should 
be budded early in this month, if not done before. 



SEPTEMBER. 

still some with vigour lift their lordly heads, 
Imparting splendour to their cultured beds, 
In lustrous colours decked, they proudly shine. 
And look enchanting to their last decline. 

Such green-house plants as may have been re-potted and 
pruned in the course of the last month, should be looked 
over, and if they have taken root, they should be exposed 
gradually to the sun, and watered moderately in dry weather. 

If any of the green-house.plants were plunged in the flower 
beds, they should be taken up and pruned early in this 
month, and then put into suitable sized pots, 35. 



156 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

Half-hardy perennials, such as Carnations, Daisies, Pri- 
mulas, Lilies, Hydrangeas, Szc, should be taken up, divided 
carefully at the roots, and then put into moderate sized pots, 
and attended to as before directed for green-house plants. 

Many hardy kinds of flower seed may be sown this month, 
24 and 34. This is a good season to propagate all kinds of 
hardy perennial plants, by parting the roots ; and those that 
were raised from seed in the spring, may be transplanted 
into regular flower beds, in cloudy or wet weather, 27 and 
35. Plant Crown Imperials, 69 ; Persian Cyclamens, 70 ; 
Ixias, 82 ; Lachenalias, 83 ; Lilies, 84 ; Omithogalums, 86 ; 
Oxalies, 86. 

Such Chrysanthemums as are intended to be protected 
while in blossom, should now be taken up and planted in 
moderate sized pots, 102. 

Seeds of Schizanthus, Ten-week Stock, Mignonette, and 
Buch other species as may be desired to decorate the parlor 
or green-house, should be sown this month, 103. 



OCTOBER. 

Lingering and lonely on their trembling stems. 
Surviving yet, are Flora's latest gems ; 
Their hour arrives, brown Autumn's parting breath 
Sighs o'er the Dahlias and proclaims their death ! 

In the early part of this month, preparation must be made 
for the housing of green-house plants. Previous to this being 
done, let the room or green-house be whitewashed with lime, 
which will prove pernicious to insects, and prevent their 
generating among the plants. 

Begin the first week in this month to place all the shrubby 
plants, such as Orange and Lemon trees, on the back shelves; 
others should be so placed that they can be cultivated to 
advantage, and they should all be arranged in regular grada- 
tion, so as to have the low-growing or dwarf plants on the 
front shelves. 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. ' 157 

Stock Gillies and Wall Fowers should be taken up, potted, 
and kept in a shady situation until they have taken root. 

Such Dahlia plants as have been cultivated in pots should 
be sheltered from the chilling air, and those in the ground 
will need attention, 65 and 66. 

Prepare the ground for all the hardy kinds of bulboud 
flow^er roots, 64 and 65. Toward the end of the month plant 
Anemones and Ranunculuses, 68 ; Crocuses, 69 ; Crown 
Imperials, 69 ; Gladioluses, 80 ; Hyacinths, 81 ; Irises, 82 ; 
Ixias, 82 ; Jonquils, 83 ; Lilies, 84 ; Narcissus, 85 ; Omitho- 
galums, 86 ; Paeonies, 87 ; Tulips, 92. For the management 
of bulbous roots in pots and glasses, see pages 94 to 96. 
Prune flowering shrubs, and make new plantations of them, 
53. 

Chrysanthemums should be neatly tied up to small sticks, 
and watered occasionally with liquid manure, to promote 
their blossoming in full perfection. Those in pots intended 
to be protected for late flowering, should be watched and 
taken in, on the appearance of a frosty night ; they may, 
however, be exposed to the air as much as possible when it is 
soft and salubrious, as should all other half-hardy plants, 101 
and 102. 



NOVEMBER. 

As the sweet flowers — men flourish and decay ; 
Howe'er they shine they quickly pass away ; 
If Virtue biess'd them in their mortal lot, 
Each has an epitaph, " Forget me not'* 

During the continuance of mild weather, green-house 
plants should have air at all opportunities, and water in pro- 
portion as heat and air are attainable, 99 and 100. Bulbous 
roots in pots and glasses will also need attention, 94 to 96. 

Half-hardy plants, such as Stock Gillies, Wall Flowers^ 
Carnations, Primulas, Hydrangeas, Daisies, &c., must either 
be placed in frames or in a green-house early in this month. 

14 



158 • MONTHLY CALENDAR. 

If Dalilia, Tuberose, and other tender roots were not 
taken up last month, let it be done in due time this month, 
65 and 66. 

Cover up flower beds with leaves, straw, or light litter, 37 ; 
finish planting bulbous roots before the frost sets in. Plant 
Anemones and Ranunculuses, 68 ; Crocusses, 69 ; Hyacinths, 
81 ; Irises, 82 ; Ixias, 82 ; Jonquils, 83 ; Lilies, 84 ; Narcissus, 
85 ; Paeonies, 87 ; Tulips, 88 to 92. These, and all other 
kinds of plants, will need protection before the setting in 
of the winter, 65 and 66. Flowering and ornamental shrubs 
may be planted in mild weather, 53 ; lay long litter round 
the roots of them, and also of the Grape vines and other 
tender plants, shrubs, &c. 

Before the winter sets in severely, let such Chrysanthe- 
mums as may have been cultivated in pots be planted in the 
garden, or as soon as they have done blossoming, 102. 

Plant Gladioluses in p(.<ts, 80 ; also such other bulbous 
roots as may be required to be kept in rooms, page 95. 

Mignonette, and other tender seedling plants under pro- 
tection, will require attention at this season ; they sliould 
not be over-watered, or the plants will perish with mildew. 

Camelhas should be frequently syringed while in bud, or 
watered over the foliage with a rose attached to the water- 
ing pot, as should all other shrubby plants. 



DECEMBER. 

Descending snow, the yellow leaf and sear. 
Are indications of old Time's career ; 
The careful tlorist tends his sheltered plants, 
Studies their nature, and supplies their wants. 

If all was not done as directed last month, there is now 
no time to be lost. All kinds of tender plants in pots should 
be set into frames or pits, and plunged in old tan or light 
mould ; and in the event of severe frosts, coverings of mats, 
straw, &c., must be laid over them. 



MONTHLY CALENDAR. 159 

Green-house plants will need constant care and attention. 
When water is necessary, let it be given in mild weather, 99. 
In case of accidents happening from fiost, I would remark, 
that the sudden transition from cold to heat is often more de- 
structive to plants than frost itself. If plants get frozen, and 
cannot be screened from the rays of the sun, they should be 
watered as the air gets warm, and before they begin to thaw. 
If sufficient attention be paid, so as to have the temperature 
of the house rise gradually as the water is sprinkled over 
the leaves, it may be a means of preserving plants that would 
otherwise be destroyed. 

See that the green-house, or room, in which plants are 
kept, is so secure as to prevent the intrusion of cold air, or 
the departure of warm air in the night season. 

Collect from heaths and rocks such kinds of eaith as are 
suited to the different species of exotic plants, and gather, 
up leaves of trees. If you intend to make hot-beds of them, 
they should be put together dry ; but if you intend them for 
compost, they may be laid together as wet as possible, in 
order that they may rot, for use in succeeding years. 



160 THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 

The Author has appended the following article, entitled 
* The Matrimonial Garden,' under the impression that it 
was appropriate to the subject treated of in this work, and 
would prove acceptable to most of his readers, especially 
to the fair sex. 



THE 



MATRIMONIAL GARDEN, 



Man is formed for social enjoyment, and if it be allowed 
that " It is not good for man to be alone," it may be justly 
inferred that it is not good for woman to be alone ; hence a 
union of interests indicates a union of persons for their mu- 
tual benefit. By this union, a sort of seclusion from the rest 
of our species takes place ; and as a garden is a retired 
apartment, appropriated to culture and improvement, the 
mairied state may not inaptly be compared with it in many 
respects. 

It is good and honourable for the human species, pru- 
dently and cautiously to approach this delightful enclosure. 
Its entrance is usually extremely gay and glitteiing, being 
strewed with flowers of every hue and every fragrance cal- 
culated to charm the eye and please the taste ; but they are 
not all so ; and as there are many persons who may wish to 
enter this garden at some time or other, who are yet stran- 
gers to its various productions, their attention should be di- 
rected to the cultivation of those plants which are beneficial, 
and to the avoiding or rooting up of those which are injurious. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 161 

And first, let me caution adventurers in this garden not 
to dream of permanent happiness; if you should so dream, 
experience will soon make you wiser, as such happiness 
never existed but in the heads of visionaries. If you are 
desirous that this garden shall yield you all the bliss of which 
it is capable, you must take with you that excellent flower 
called Good Humour, which, of all the flowers of nature, is 
the most delicious and delicate ; do not drop it or lose it, as 
many do, soon after they enter the garden ; it is a treasure 
the loss of which nothing can supply. When you get to the 
end of the first walk, which contains about thirty steps,t com- 
monly called " The Honey Moon Path," you will find the 
garden open into a vast variety of views, and it is necessary 
to caution you to avoid many productions here which are 
noxious, nauseous, and even fatal in their nature and ten- 
dency, especially to the ignorant and unwary. There is a 
low, small plant, which may be seen in almost every path, 
called Indifference. Though this is not perceived on enter- 
ing, you will always know where it grovvs, by a certain cold- 
ness in the air which surrounds it. Contrary to the nature 
of plants in general, this grows by cold and dies by warmth ; 
whenever you perceive this change in the air, avoid the place 
as soon as you can. In the same path is often found that 
baneful flower called Jealousy, which I advise you never to 
look at, for it has the strange quality of smiting the eye that 
beholds it with a pain that is seldom or never got rid of. 
Jealousy is a deadly flower ; it is the aconite of the garden, 
and has marred the happiness of thousands. 

As you proceed, you will meet with many little crooked 
paths. I advise you, as a friend, never to go into them ; for 
although, at the entrance of each, it is written in large 
letters, I am right, if you do enter, and get to the end of 
them, you will find the true name to be Perverseness. 
These crooked paths occasion endless disputes ; and as it 
is diflicult to make the crooked straight, it is better to avoid 
+ Thirty days. 

14* 



162 THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 

them altogether, lest, as sometimes happens, a total separa- 
tion be the consequence, and you take different paths the 
rest of your lives. Near this spot you will meet with a 
rough, sturdy plant, called Obstinacy, which bears a hard 
knotty fruit that never digests, and of course must injure the 
constitution ; it even becomes fatal, when taken in large 
quantities. Turn from it ; avoid it as you would the cholera. 

Just opposite to this grows that lovely and lively shrub 
called Compliance, which, though not always pleasant to the 
palate, is very salutary, and leaves a sweetness in the mouth ; 
it is a most excellent shrub, and produces the most delicious 
fruit. Never be without a very large sprig in your hand ; 
it will often be wanted as you go along, for you cannot be 
happy without it in any part of the garden. 

In one of the principal compartments stands a very im- 
portant plant, called Economy ; it is of a thriving quality ; 
cultivate this fine plant with all your care, for it adonis and 
enriches at the same time. Many overlook it, some despise 
it, and others think that they may never want it ; it is gene- 
rally overlooked in the gayety and levity with which people 
enter this place, but the want of it is generally deplored 
with bitter repentance. There are two other plants of the 
same species, which are very closely connected, called 
Industry and Frugality, and I must take leave to tell you, 
that unless both the male and the female partake largely of 
their branches, very little success can be expected ; in this 
they must both unite. Take care that you provide yourself 
and partner with a supply of each as soon as possible after 
you enter the garden. 

There are two or three paths which run much into one 
another ; in them you will find growing interspersed three 
plants, which deserve the closest attention of the softer sex; 
these are called Regularity, Exactness, and Simplicity, t 
Do not think, as some do, that when you have once got into 
the garden, you may be neglectful of these plants. Remem- 
t In deportment as well as in dress. 



THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 163 

ber that your companion will see your neglect, which will 
affect his eye, and may alienate his heart. Bestow a large 
share of attention on these plants, then, as soon as you enter 
the garden, for when you are once fairly in, you are in for 
life ; the danger is, that if you neglect them at an early 
period, you will not find them afterward. 

Near these walks is to be found that modest plant, called 
Humility : 

It is the Violet, " born to blush unseen. 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air." 

It appears of little worth in itself, but when joined to other 
virtues, it adds a charm to life, and spieads a fragrance 
around its wearer. Cultivate, then, with all your care, this 
sweet little plant, and you will find it prevent the growth of 
all poisonous and noxious weeds. 

Allow me also to drop a hint on the subject of Cultivation, 
as connected with Propagation, as that most probably will 
be your employment in this garden, sooner or later. Should 
you have the rearing of a young plant, remember that it is 
frail in its nature, and liable to be destroyed by every blast, 
and will demand all your care and attention. Should you 
witness a blast on its dawning beauties, O ! how your fond 
heart will bleed with tenderness, affection, and sympathy ! 
The young shoot will naturally twine around all the fibres 
of your frame. Should it live and thrive, spare no pains to 
" train it up in the way it should go." Weed it, water it, 
prune it ; it will need all your skill. Without this, many 
weeds and baneful plants will grow up with it, and blast 
your fondest hopes. Be ever mindful that this is a trust 
for which both parties are accountable. 

Without careful cultivation, what can you expect but the 
most luxuriant growth of unruly appetites, which, in time, 
will break forth in all manner of disgraceful irregularities 1 
What, but that Anger, like a prickly thorn, will arm the 
temper with an untractable moroseness 1 That Peevishness, 
like a stinging: nettle, will render the conversation irksome 



104 THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN. 

and forbidding? That Avarice, like some choaking weed, 
will teach the fingers to gripe, and the hands to oppress 'i 
That Revenge, like some poisonous plant, replete with bane- 
ful juices, will rankle in the breast, and meditate mischief to 
its neighbour] While unbridled Lust, like swarms of 
noisome insects, taint each rising thought, and render " every 
imagination of the heart only evil continually." Such are 
the usual products of unrestrained nature ! such the furni- 
ture of the uncultivated mind ! 

By all means, then, pay due attention to culture. By 
suitable discipline, clear the soil ; by careful instruction, im- 
plant the seed of virtue. By skill and vigilance, prune the 
unprofitable and over-luxuriant branches : " direct the young 
idea how to shoot," the wayward passions how to move. 
The mature man will then become the chief ornament of 
the garden. Around him Charity will breathe her sweets, 
and in his branches Hope expand her blossoms. In him 
the personal virtues will display their graces, and the social 
ones their fruit ; the sentiments become generous, the car- 
riage endearing, the life useful, and the end happy and 
peaceful. 



165 



TO THE PEOPLE 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS : 

An application having been made to your Representatives in Congress to 
vote a sum equal to five cents from each individual in the United States, 

OR ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS OF YOUR RESOURCES, tO the promotiOU Of an 

improved system of " Terra-culture,^'' as described in Senate, Document 
No. 23, of the third session of the 25th Congress, I hereby direct your 
attention to a few extracts taken from the applicant's preamble ; copies of 
which were forwarded to each member of the 26th Congress, in ses^n, 
November 30, 1839, by Russell Comsiock. 

From the Poughkeepsie Eagle, of January 25, 1840. 

PRESERVATION OF FRUIT TREES, PLANTS, &c. 
GREAT DISCOVERY. 
•' To the Hon. Perry Smith, Chairman of the United States Senate Com- 
mittee on Agriculture of the 25th Congress. " With the consent and by 
the advice on the 23d inst., of the chairman of the United States Senate 
Committee on Agriculture of the 25th Congress, I forward to each member 
of the 26th Congress the accompanying document dated the 14th inst; the 
object is to show you some of the proof that a discovery of vital importance 
to civilized man has been made, which in several letters from diflferent 
members of the present and last Congress is valued at hundreds of mil- 
lions OF days' labour, and worth more than all the discove- 
ries OF THE PRESENT AGE COMBINED THE APPLICATION OF STEAM 

NOT EXCEPTED. 

" For what purpose would all the owners of the public lands more freely 
or gratefully consent to give one hundreth part of those lands, or the pro- 
ceeds thereof 1 Would they not be grateful to those members of Congress, 
who assist in giving the owners of the public domain the desired informa- 
tion, and reverence them as benefactors of human kind. 

" For the honour of the Republic, for the honour of the age, and for the 
interest and comfort of the living, as well as the unborn, let not that disco- 
very which may cause two seeds to ripen where one now does, which pre- 
vents the premature death of all cultivated trees, which has been searched 
for in vain during the history of all civilized society, die with the discoverer 
for want of the action of the United States Congress." 

Our patriotic discoverer " claims the following five discoveries as his, 
besides other discoveries which are stated in his memorial to the 25th Con* 



166 

1st " That various diseases, universally supposed to be destructive to 
plants are only symptoms that a particular error in cultivation has been 
committed ; and that many other injurious effects have been produced by 
the same error, which are attributed to other causes. 

2d. " That the error is universally committed, to a greater or less 
extent, throughout the States, and that he has seen an excess of it where- 
ever he has been, which is in the Atlantic States, from Georgia to Massar 
chusetts, inclusive. 

3d. " That the Peach and Nectarine are more easily injured by the 
error than most other Fruit trees, and the cause of their being more easily 
injured by it ; and that this error causes them to be barren, or short-lived. 

4th. " That the application of two known laws in nature demonstrate 
the reality of his discovery and its application to the whole vegetable king- 
dom ; and that by them, his discovery, (if publicly known,) must be per- 
petuated, and his practice more easily introduced : and that by these two 
laws the occasional success of common remedies is explained. 

oth. *' That the said en-or is the obstacle which has discouraged experi- 
menters, and lamentably retarded improvements in the science and practice 
of agriculture ; and that he has discovered facts and made himself acquainted 
vMh knowledge sufficient to reduce them to practice." 

We are farther informed, " that it is neither climate, nor soil, nor insects, 
nor worms, that are the cause of many of the disastrous effects that have 
been attributed to them, but that those effects are produced by error in cul- 
tivation, which diseases the smallest plant or largest tree." 

Our modest and patriotic fellow-citizen admits, in the course of his 
preamble, " that the practical part of his discovery is so extremely simple 
and economical, that it costs no more to prevent the diseases than it does 
to produce them ; and that it is so different from the established theories 
and habits of the people, that unless a large amount be appro- 
priated, many will be unwilling to try it, and therefore the public good 
seems to require that a large amount should be appropriated." He more- 
over asserts, that " there are two known laws in nature, by which the reality 
of his discovery, and its application to the whole vegetable kingdom, are 
demonstrable in less than thirty words." 

That this invaluable secret, whatever it may be, is not strictly speaking 
a new discovery, is demonstrable by numerous living witnesses which have 
inhabited the fields of the old world for over a thousand years ; and our 
discoverer freely admits, and in very emphatic language, that there are 
thousands of trees in our own country on which, what he terms " the com- 
mon error " has never been committed ; and also, that several of the fifteen 
gentlemen to whom lie communicated his secret, " co7ifidently for et^er" have 
some such trees on their own domains. 

Hear him — " The Senator from Missouri, (Mr. Linn,) said, that the most 
flourishing and healthy Peach tree in his possession had never had what I 
call the common error in cultivation committed upon it." 

" The Senator from Pennsylvania, (Mr. McKean,) said, that he had long 
supposed that what I call the common error, was an error, but that he had 
no idea of such extensive evils arising from it." 

" The Senator from Maryland, (Mr, Spence.) said, that in his district it 
was a universal custom to commit what I call the common error in cultiva- 
tion, on the fruit trees, and that it was common to have no Plums perfect 



167 

and free from worms, excepting on a few of his, on which the error 
had not been committed for twenty years, if ever ; and those few (four) 
continued to bear abundantly annually ; that he had no recollection of ever 
seeing an imperfect wormy Plum on either of these four trees, but that he 
had never supposed that to have been the cause of their perfection." 

The Senator from South Carolina, (Mr. Calhoun,) to whom I am indebted 
for pointing out one symptom of the error, and for a valuable suggestion in 
the culture of plants, said, " while examining the defective trees around the 
Capitol, that the principle when exhibited was very plain and simple, that 
it was philosophical, and in his opmion it could not be neglected without 
injury to the health and growth of trees and plants, and deserving of pub- 
lic patronage." 

" The Vice President of the United States, (Mr. Johnson,) said, that my 
discovery was perfectly consistent with the laws of nature ; and (when 
observing a few trees near the Capitol, which had been injured by the error, 
and were recovering,) farther remarked, that my theory was essentially cor- 
rect and obvious to the most superficial observer." 

" The member from New-York, (Mr. Jackson,) said, that he had reared 
an orchard on which he had carefully avoided an excess of what I call the 
common error, and that it had been admired as the most flourishing and 
fruitful orchard in the neighbourhood ; and that he had recently seen a field 
of Indian corn, which yielded more than one hundred bushels of shelled 
grain to the acre, in which an excess of the error had been avoided, while 
the success was attributed to quite a different cause." 

From the preceding extracts, it is evident that this inestimable treasure 
lays near the surface ; and from the disclosure having been communicated 
to rational and intelligent minds, it is preposterous to expect that those 
gentleman can, in the pursuit of their rural avocations, act directly con- 
trary to knowledge and sound judgment ; they must, therefore necessarily 
and unavoidably communicate the secret by their example, which will 
eventually disseminate in proportion as mankind take an interest in the 
merits of the alleged discovery. 

But lest the full benefits of this invaluable remedy should be withheld 
from the community for want of the action of the United States Congress, 
I have submitted an exposition of my views of the particular points 
adverted to in the preamble, which may be found under the heads, Necta- 
rine, Peach, and Plum, pages 91, 98 and 124 of the third part of the present 
edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant ; and I would furthermore 
remmd my readers that the directions heretofore given in this and previous 
editions of the work are in strict accordance with the same doctrine ; and 
yiat although tlie error alluded to is admitted to have been very generally 
committed, I am not aware that any writer has ever taught or encouraged 
the error, either direct or indirect ; I confess, however, that I have been 
induced to expatiate on this malpractice in horticulture from the subject 
having elicited the grave consideration of enlightened legislators of these 
United States. 

And lest these my voluntary disclosures should prove to have no bearing 
on the alleged discovery, I would prepare the public mind for its receptiou 
by an exhortation to temperance and moderation, as the only safe 
course that can be considered applicable to the cultivation of all the varied 
•pecies of plants, which comprise " the whole vegetable kingdom." lift 



168 

articles page 26 of the first part, and pages 16, 28 and 97 of the second 
part, I have shown that the various species of plants which occupy our 
greenhouses, gardens, and fields, require each their peculiar aliment — they 
having been collected from all the diversified regions, climates, and soils 
through earth's remotest bounds ; they consequently comprise natives of 
mount£iins and rocks, as well as of plains, valleys, and water courses. The 
most essential aliment for natives of warm climates and dry soils being 
HEAT, artificial means are used in cool seasons, and unpropitious climates 
to produce it. Natives of temperate climates require salubrious air, hence 
they are cultivated to the greatest perfection in our Northern States in 
spring and autumn ; and in our Southern States in the winter; seepage 
147 of the first part ; and natives of humid climates, as also amphibious 
plants in general, require a more than ordinary share of moisture, and 
grow best in wet soil; but these three elements collectively constitute 
the food of plants in general and should be judiciously imparted to the 
various species, in due proportions, according to circumstances. See pages 
49, 64 and 67 of the first part, for a more concise view of this subject. I 
have also shown that the roots of various species of plants require each 
their peculiar aliment, which is not to be found in all descriptions of land ; 
this is demonstrated by roots of trees being frequently discovered spreading 
beyond their ordinary bounds in quest of salutary food. 

Although it has been admitted that excessive deep planting of trees and 
plants is injurious, and in many cases fatal to their very existence, it does 
not follow that all annuals and biennials are injured by the same means j 
on the contrary, the earthing up of particular species of plants in a late 
stage of growth is calculated to promote early maturity, which constitutes 
the most essential art in gardening for the market j because the earliest 
crops are always the most profitable. It is moreover a necessary practice 
in climates where the seasons for gardening are short — as without such 
practice, many kinds of vegetables could not possibly be matured in due 
season for gathering before winter. 

1 would here take the opportunity of proving this last position, by 
reminding the reader that the effects of deep planting, the Peach tree for 
instance, is discoverable soon after the error is committed, by its fruit ripen- 
ing prematurely, and this is often the case for a year or two prior to its 
final decease, and should operate as a salutary lesson against planting 
perenyiial plants and trees too deep. 

In conclusion of this article, which is intended as an appendage to my 
works on gardening, I would urge gardeners and cultivators to consult the 
operations of nature in all their rural pursuits ; and with a view to aid 
them, I subjoin the following rules, which are farther illustrated under th« 
different heads : 

1. In transplanting fruit trees, let the cxjllar, or that part from which 
emanate the main roots, be near the surface. A medium sized tree may be 
planted an inch deeper than it was in the nursery bed ; and the largest 
should not exceed two or three inches. See pages 93, 101 and 125 of the 
third part of the present edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant. 

2. In the cultivation of such plants as are transplanted, or grown in hills 
or clusters, as Indian Corn, &c.. keep the earth loose but level around them 
in their early stages of growth, by frequent hoeing, ploughing, or culti- 



169 

▼ating ; and to promote early maturity, throw a moderate portion of 
earth about the roots and stems at the last or final dressing. 

3. In the sowing of seed, remember that in unity there is strength, 
and that from the germinative parts of a seed being weak and diminutive, 
it cannot be expected to perforate through the soil, solitary and alone. To 
insure a fair chance plant your seed moderately thick, and thin out the 
surplus plants while young. In planting seed in drills, which is the most 
eligible plan, the size of the seed and strength of its germ should be consi- 
dered ; large seed, producing vigorous roots, require deeper planting than 
diminutive seed, producing delicate roots and slender stalks. 

4. In the choice of compost for exotic or greenhouse plants, imitate the 
native soil of each peculiar species as nearly as possible, by a judicious 
mixture of maiden earth, loam, sand, leaf, swamp, and rock mould, decom- 
posed manures, and such other composts as are recommended under the 
different heads. Remember, that although strong manure is essential to 
the growth of some plants, it is poisonous to others. Pursue, then, a 
MEDIUM COURSE. From your soil not being too stiff or two light, loo rich 
or too poor, too cool or too warm, too close or too porous, if not positively 
salutary and congenial to all, it must render the situation of each endura- 
ble. I again repeat, that temperance in the use of aliment, is as essential 
to the welfare of the vegetable family as it is to the health, happiness, and 
longevity of mankind. 

T. BRIDGEMAN. 
New-York, March 4, 1840. 

53r Since this address has been in press, I have seen another article in 
the Poughkeepsie Eagle, dated February 29, IS40, wherein our modest 
and patriotic dwcot-erer gratuitously pronounces his knowledge as superior 
to that of " all Botanical and Agricultural knoivn writers .'" As I have 
anticipated the merits of this second valuable discovery in my books, I have 
nothing more to say than to remind the reader that this uncalled for attack 
on the brethren of my fraternity, fully justifies not merely the publication, 
but the most general circulation of these my voluntary disdosures. 



RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. 

This summary view of estimates is annexed, in order to aid the Seeds- 
man and Gardener in making out a bill of seed for the purpose of planting 
any given quantity of ground, under the regulations suggested in the 
Vegetable Department of the Young Gardener's Assistant, to which the 
reader is referred for a more concise view of the subject 

Page. 
Artichoke ; an ounce of seed will produce 600 plants, - - 31 

Asparagus; one ounce will be sufficient for 1000 plants - - 35 
Beans, English Dwarf; one quart of seed will be required for every 

sixty feet of row, -...-...40 

Beans, Kidney Dwarf ; one quart of seed will plant from 350 to 400 

hills, or from 230 to 260 feet of row, 42 



170 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. 

Page. 
Beans Pole, or Pvunnjn;^ ; one qucrt of Lima, or large running Beans 

will plant about oOU hills, or ,250 feet of row, ... - 43 

Beet ; one ounce may be allotted for every perch, or pole, - . 45 

Borecole, or Kale , an ounce will produce 4000 plants, . - 46 

Broccoli ; one ounce is sufficient for 4000 plants, - - - - 60 

Cauliiiower ; an ounce of this seed will produce 4000 plants, - 53 

Cabbage ; one ounce will produce 4000 plants, - ... 55 

Cardoon Artichoke ; an ounce will produce 600 plants, - - 53 

Carrot ; half an ounce may be allotted for every pole, - - - 59 

Celery ; an ounce of seed v/ill produce 10,000 plants, - . . 60 
Corn Salad, or Fetticus ; one ounce of seed will sow about two poles 

of ground, 63 

Cucumber ; one ounce of seed is sufficient for 200 hills, - - 65 

Egg Plant ; an ounce of seed will produce 4000 plants, - - 67 

Endive, or Succory ; an ounce will yield 5000 plants, ... 68 

Leek; one ounce of seed may be allotted for 3000 plants. - - 71 

Lettuce ; an ounce will produce, say 10,000 plants, ... 73 

Melon ; one ounce of seed will produce from 120 to 150 hills, - 74 

Melon, Water ; an ounce will plant from 40 to 50 hills, - - 75 

Onion ; one ounce of seed may be allotted for every pole, - - 78 

Parsley ; two ounces may be allowed for three perches, - - 80 

Parsnip ; two ounces may be allotted for three perches, . - 81 

Pepper ; one ounce of seed will produce 3000 plants, - - - 82 

Peas; one quart will plant from 150 to 200 feet of row, - - 84 

Potatoes } from twelve to sixteen bushels may be allotted for an acre, 85 
Potatoes, Sweet ; half a peck of seed, properly managed, will produce 

15 bushels, 86 

Pumpkin ; one quart of field Pumpkin will plant from 500 to 600 

hills, and one ounce of the finest kinds will plant from 50 to 80 hills, 87 
Radish; four ounces will do for every three perches, if sown broad- 
cast, and about half the quantity if sown in drills, - - - 89 
Salsify ; two ounces of this seed will plant three perches, - - 93 
Shallots ; four bushels of bulbs will plant forty poles, - . - 9S 
Spinach ; if cultivated in drills, four ounces will plant five perches of 

land. If broadcast, it will require double the quantity, • - 99 
Squash; an ounce of seed will plant from 50 to 100 hills, according 

to sorts and size, 100 

Tomato ; one ounce of seed will produce 4000 plants, - - 101 

Turnip ; one pound of seed is sufficient for an acre of land, - 105 

QUANTITY OF GRASS SP:ED SUITABLE TO THE ACRE. 



Clover, sown alone, - - 12 pounds. 

Timothy, 1 peck. 

Herds Grass, - ... - 1 bushel. 



Orchard Grass, - - - 2 bushels. 
Rye Grass, ------ 2 buslieis. 

Lucerne, -.---. 8 pounds. 



For a pasture for grazing, the following mixtures of seed would be found 
excellent, viz : 6 pounds of clover seed, 1 peck of herds grass, and half a 
bushel of Orchard grass seed— or 6 pounds clover, half a bushel of rye 
grass, and half a bushel of tall meadow oat seed. 



171 



COMMENDATORY NOTICES. 



"The first edition of "The Young Gardener's Assistant" has been 
favourably noticed in France : — " One of the leading articles of the Annates 
de Cinsiitute Royal Horticole de Fromont, is a long notice of " The Young 
Gardener's Assistant," by Mr. Thomas Bridgeman, of this city. The 
editor, Le Chevalier Soulange Bodin, speaks of the little work in very 
commendable terms." — New York Farmer. 

Extract of a review of this work in the Magazine of Horticulture, Botany, 
&c., published by Hovey & Co., Boston : 
"The work is written in plain language, easily to be understood by the 
young beginner in gardening, who will find it a great help ; and its value, 
even to the experienced person, is by no means of an ordinary character. 
It is adapted to our climate, and unlike compilations from English 
works, the novice is not led into disappointment by following the rules 
there laid down, as he generally is, when following the advice of the latter. 
We repeat, that as far as the book pretends, it is worth all otiieks of 

A SIMILAR CHARACTER THAT HAVE EVER BEEN PUBLISHED IN THIS COUN- 
TRY ; and its cheapness should place it in the hands of all new beginners." 

" No work ever published has been so studiously written to give plain 
useful information. By being arranged in the form of a catalogue, you 
can turn in a moment to any name you desire, where the time of sowing, 
depth, soil, after treatment, &c. &c., is clearly defined. The Calendarial 
Index, giving a summary of work for every month, is itself worth the whole 
price of the book, and must have cost the author much research and labor- 
ious thought. Mr. Bridgeman is not a theorist, but is in the daily practice 
of what he writes, and of course well qualified to direct all beginners in the 
profitable and delightful employment of cultivating a garden, ' a profession 
and an employment for which no man is too high or too low.' " — Genessee- 
Farmer. 

"It will, we are persuaded, be found, what the writer intends it shall be, 
* generally useful to such as may wish to superintend, or take the manage- 
ment of their own gardens.' Mr. Bridgeman is a gardener himself, in the 
Bowery road, and his directions are therefore applicable to our climate — an 
advantage of no little moment." — American. 

"Among the plants for the cultivation of which ' The Young Gardener's 
Assistant ' contains directions, are a number of culinary vegetables not 
generally introduced in the United States. The introduction and success- 
ful cultivation of useful foreign vegetables add to the resources of our 
country. We recently saw, for instance, in Mr. Bridgeman's garden, seve- 
ral varieties of Broad Beans, Vicia faha, in a most vigorous and thrifty 
growth. They occupied a clayey spot of ground that was not suitable so 
early in the season for any other vegetable. They put forth a beautiful 
blossom, and would serve as an ornament for the flower garden." — New 
York Farmer. 



172 COMMENDATORY NOTICES. 

"Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant. — The fourth edition of this 
useful httle manual is published, aud is rendered of increased value by the 
addition of several matters not contained in either of the former editions. 
Among these is a short and convenient calendar to assist the gardener's 
memory.' — Evening Post. 

" No work on the subject of Kitchen Gfirdenins: ever published in this 
country has met with so very general approbation and extensive sale. Mr. 
Bridgeinau is well known as one of our best gardeners, and writes from his 
own experience " — Daily Express. 

" That work which teaches us how to create and to improve this most 
innocent and useful source of pleasure, is surely worthy of applause and 
patronage ; and such we consider 'The Young Gardener's Assistant.' " — 
M'prning Herald. 

" The work is calculated to be of immense service to those engaged in 
Agriculture, 'far from the busy haunts of men,' and to the disciples of 
Flora, in the city. Mr. Bridgemun is a practical gardener and seedsman, 
and has lived many years on both sides of the Atlantic." — Old Countryman, 

"From what we gather from the tenor of Mr. Bridgeman's book, we 
should suppose that he paid but little attention to the mere on dits or dic- 
tunis of any, but that he pursued that course which his judgment pointed 
out ; and in this particular, we value his book — leading the young gardener 
to depend more on his own judgment than on the rules of custom." 
American Farmer. 

''All those who are desirous of a work on the subject of Gardening, and 
one which will convey the best intonnation on the management of Hot- 
beds, Asparagus beds, best mode of raising all sorts of Esculent Vegetables, 
Pruning. Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees, Framing the Vine, Preserving 
the Fruit from Mildew, &c., should procure this. No work on the subject 
ever published in tisis country has met with half as extensive a sale, or 
decided public approbation, as this valuable compendium. Mr. Bridgeman 
fully understands the subject on which he treats The very rapid sale of 
.the eight former editions is quite a sufficient recommendation." — G. C. 
Thorbuim, in the Eveinng Star. 

" \V« can assure gardeners and farmers that they will in times and ways 
almost without number, be amply compensated by purchasing the book. 
Mr. Bridgeman bestows arei^t 1 hour on his productions of the pen, not 
only as to practical matter of fart, but to the various excellences of style 
particularly to clearness, and the avoiding a redundancy of words. The 
amount of useful information in the book constitutes its value; and all this 
information is adapted to this country, and its climate and its soil." — 
American Gardener^s Mugazv^e. 

" From the cursory exa-Tiination we have been enabled to give ' The 
Youni Gardener's Ass=<;iarit.' we should jiid?e that it embraces a greater 
amount of practical information, applicable to our climate, than can be 
found in any similar work. The bst of fruit trees has been selected from 
the bei^t atithor'ties botli foreign and American, and is sufKciently exten- 
sive for any cultivator in this country." — Newark Daily Advertiser. 



COMMENDATORY NOTICES. 173 

"The author is an experienced practical gardener and seedsman, and his 
book is an excellent manual and guide for the beginner, whether old or 
young, in horticultural pursuits." — Gazette. 

" From the systematic arrangement of the parts, under appropriate heads, 
and the plain and practical nature of the instructions, it must be an invalua- 
ble manual for those who may wish to superintend the management of 
their own gardens. — Albany Argiis. 

Extract of a letter from Alex'r Walsh, Esq., Lansinburg: 

Dear Sir : — You will see by the next month's New-York Farmer, if you 
have not already seen by the Albany papers, that several copies of the 
Young Gardener's Assistant have been given as premiums, by the State 
Agricultural Society. Mr. D. B. Slingerland and myself were on the com- 
mittee for awarding premiums, and thought your work was deserving 
encouragement ; and that even in this small way we might be of service in 
bringing it before the public as worthy of being given as premiums." * 

" Written with a good deal of practical knowledge of the subject on 
which it treats. The directions given, the author says, are the result of 
twenty years' experience, and we dare to say, that though submitted in an 
unpretending form, they will be found as useful, if not more so, than those 
in more costly and expensive works." — Courier 4" Enquirer. 

"We have undoubted authority for pronouncing this work as worth all 
others of a similar character that have ever been published in this country, 
from its adaptation to all the climates in the United States." — N. Y. Sun. 

" That this is a useful work is evident from the number of editions 
through which it has passed. There is scarcely any employment in life 
more pleasing than the cultivation of a Garden with Fruits and Flowers. 
Those who have the opportunity to indulge themselves in this gratification, 
we have no doubt will derive much assistance from this publication." — N. 
Y. Tribune. 

" Every one that cultivates a garden should possess the work, as it is a 
complete dictionary for young beginners in the delightful field of Horticul- 
ture." — Working Man^s Advocate. 

"No work on the subject ever published in this country has met with 
half as extensive a sale or decided approbation, as this valuable compen- 
dium. Mr. Bridgeraan fully understands, from practical experience, the 
subject on which he treats. The Calendarial Index arranges the work for 
every month, and refers to the various parts of the book how to proceed. 
This of itself is worth the price of the whole work, and cost the author 
immense labour. The rapid sale of the former editions, together with the 
commendation of every Agricultural and Horticultural Journal in America, 
and several in England, is quite suflScient recommendation. The present 
edition both explains and fully makes known what was thought to be a 
great discovery (as great as steam) on the preservation of Fruit Trees, 
Plants, &c., and which, to make known to the people of these United 
States, an application was made to the 25th Congress to vote the supposed 

* The American Institute has also awarded several copie« of this work as premiums fo{ 
auperior specimens of gar dun producU. 



174 COMMENDATORY NOTICES. 

author of the discovery a sum equal to five cents from each individual in the 
United States — or about a million of dollars. Mr. Bridgeman has clearly 
proved this discovery from his long observation of the course of nature and 
treatment of Trees and plants, and which only occupies some four or five 
pages of the wrork." — N- Y. Commercial, by G. C. Thorhurn. 



•* The Florist's Guide. — A delightful little book, which vee advise every 
body to purchase — at least every body that has the least liking for the 
pleasing occupation on which it treats." — Courier ^ Enquirer. 

"The Florist's Guide," Uke its companion, " The Young Gardener's As- 
sistant," is a useful work, which every Gardener and Florist may consult 
to advantage. It gives minute directions concerning plants of various spe- 
cies; the names and characters of each being alphabetically arranged, makes 
it an invaluable manual for those who may wish to superintend the 
management of their own gardens." — Newark Daily Advertiser. 

" This is one of the best works on the subject ever published in any 
country : it contains Practical Directions for the Cultivation of Annual, 
Biennial, and Perennial Flowering Plants, of different classes. Herbaceous 
and Shrubby, Bulbous, Fibrous, and Tuberous-rooted, including the Double 
Dahlia, Greenhouse Plants in Pvooms, &c. &c. 

"A work of the above kind has been long wanted ; hitherto, it required 
an expenditure of some three or four dollars to get any kind of readable 
directions for small gardens, window gardening, plants in rooms, &c., 
which, when procured, were so full of botanical foppery, that plain, honest 
people, after wading through some three or four hundred pages, were as 
wise as to knowing how to set about their gardening, as when they com- 
menced their book. The present little work obviates all these difficulties. 
The author is well known as one of our practical gardeners, and it may be 
truly said he has rendered the ladies in particular (for whom the work was 
projected) an essential service ; the directions for the care of the Camellia 
Japonica, the Double Dahlia, the sowing and treatment of Annual 
Flower Seed, &c., are alone worth double the price of the book ; so is the 
Calendarial Index, which, by the untiring industry of Mr. Bridgeman, is 
made to include in some half dozen pages, more valuable information than 
is to be found in some ponderous octavos on the same subject." — G- C« 
Thorbwn, from the N. Y. Commercial. 

" The style is free, and the language appropriate ; the plan is judicious, 
and the contents embrace much well arranged practical information, unen- 
cumbered with disquisitions foreign to the object of the work. We very 
cheerfully recommend it to our readers as a cheap and useful book." — 
Gardener^s Magazine. 



The Florist's Guide has also been very favourably noticed by the editors 
of many other very respectable periodicals, as a work eminently calculated 
to promote a love for the cultivation and correct management of tlowers — 
the study of which, remarks one of these writers, " refines the taste, and 
imparts just and ennobling views of the wise provisions of nature." 



175 



LINES 

SUGGESTED BY THE AWARD OF A GOLD MEDAL TO THE AUTHOR 
OF * THE YOUNG GARDENER's ASSISTANT,' AT THE FOURTEENTH 
ANNUAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 1841, FOR ITS ^ 
GREAT PRACTICAL UTILITY. 



BY D. MITCHELL, 



As Valor's meed, and Honor's brightest test, 

I've seen a Medal on a Warrior's breast ; 

But to my mind it brought sad scenes to view — 

The sweeping carnage of red Waterloo — 

Th > orphan's tear — the widow's drooping head, 

For slaughter'd heroes on false glory's bed — 

The earth made desolate, its fruits despoil' d. 

By mad Ambition, fearless and unfoO'd ! 

Not so the Token thou hast gained from Peace, 

Thou lov'st to see fair Nature's wide increase, 

And the " Young Gard'ner," in thy fertile book, 

Finds an " Assistant " not to be mistook ! 

Thine is the pleasing art to cultivate, 

Fill Plenty's h«rn, and better man's estate ; 

Thine is the wish the Cotter's life to mend. 

And teach him that a garden is his friend : 

That Virtue smiles — sheds blessings on his head. 

And makes him happy in his humble shed, 

Who tends his " little patch " in well spent hours. 

Amid his kitchen treasures and his flowers ; 

That Vice ne'er mars a lovely scene like this — 

The consummation of the poor man's bliss ! 

Health, my firm friend, long life and health to thee, 

Health to the scions from the parent tree ; 

Well may thy trophy be a source of pride, 

May they preserve it, whatsoe'r betide : 

'Tis a memento for imparting good, 

More nobly won than that for shedding blood ! 



AMERICAN STANDARD HORTiCULTURAL BOOKS. 



The Young Gardener's Assistant^ containing 

Catalogues of Garden and Flower Seed, with Practical 
Directions under each head for the Cultivation of Culi- 
nary Vegetables and Flowers ; also, directions for culti- 
vating Fruit Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, including the 
Fig, the Cranberry, and the Grape Vine. To which is 
added a Calendar to each part, showing the work ne- 
cessary to be done in the various departments of Gar- 
dening each month of the year. The whole adapted to 
the climate of the United States. The tenth edition, 
improved, 504 pages octavo. By T. BRIDGEMAN, 
Gardener, Seedsman, and Florist : New- York. 



JO" As each part of the above Work makes a complete volume, the 
Ninth Edition has been published in three separate books, with a view 
to accommodate the diflFerent description of cultivators. They are 
entitled as follows : — 

The Kitchen Gardener's Instructor ; which 

contains ample directions for the cultivation of Culinary 
Vegetables and Herbs throughout the ordinary season ; 
and instructions for Foicing and Forwarding Vegetables 
in winter and early in the spring. 

The Florist's Guide, contains all the necessary 
information for managing a Flower Garden, and for 
cultivating Exotic Plants, either in a Greenhouse, or 
warm room. 

The Fruit Cultivator's Manual, is designed to 

qualify the novice in Fiuit Culture for the superintend- 
ence of his own Orchard and Fruit Garden. 

Each of the above Volumes contains 176 pages, 12mo. Price Fifty 
Cents, half bound; Sixty-two Cents, full bound. 



Booksellers and Seedsmen supplied on liberal 
terms, by the Author, Broadway, comer of Eighteenth 
Street, New- York. 



^ 

% 



AMERICAN STANDARD H 



The Younsf Gardener' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Catalogues of Garden and ODDmi'^lD'^4 

Directions under each heat 
nary Vegetables and Flowe 

vating Fruit Trees, Shrubs, and Vines; mciuamg trie 
Fig, the Cranberry, and the Grape Vine. To which is 
added a Calendar to each pait, showing the work ne- 
cessary to be done in the various departments of Gar- 
dening each month of the } oar. The whol.j adapted to 
the climate r " iho United States. Thr tenth edition, 
improved, 6u4 pa-es octavo. By T. BRIDGEMAN, 
Gardener, Seedsman, and Florist : New- York. 



9^ As each part of the above Wo k makes a complete volume, the 
Ninth Editioii has beeii published in three tcf ;ate booivs, with a view 
to accommodate the di:Tc -ut description '. cultivators. They are 
entitled as follows : — 

The Ki^'chen Gardenei^ Instructor ; which 

contains am^ le directirins for liie cultivation of Culinary 
Vegetables and Herbs throughout the ordinary season; 
and instructions for Forcing and Forwarding Vegetables 
in winter and early in the spring. 

The Florist's Guide, contains all the necessary 
11 information for managing a Flower Garden, and for 
ll cultivating Exotic Plants, either in a Greenhouse, or 
warm room. 

The Fruit Cultivator's Manual, is designed to 
qualify the novice in Fiuil Culture for the superintend- 
ence of his own Orchard and Fruit Garden. 

I ■ \ m 

Each of the above Volumes contains 176 page?, 12mo. Price Fifty 
Cents, half borrd; PiXiy-tvvo- Cents, full bour^d. 



Buokseilers .;•. ! Seedsm-.n supplied on liberal 
terms, by the Author, Br*.; dway, corner of Eighteenth 
Street, New- York. 



■^•''i?-.8«>:g»- •'■>;• '::<•.• •;^*•••••* . •iis*^-s;S«**S*>:«0>*«»>®4***-*S®'''»M: 



Albert Haiifor.i. Xylagrai her, 58 Nassaii-st.. corner of Maiden Lane. 




